Dillon Gabriel takes the reins, Shedeur Sanders stays in the spotlight

Dillon Gabriel will make his debut as starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns this Sunday in London against the Minnesota Vikings. But he’s also carrying a story heavier than any defensive line. It’s the curse of rookie QBs in Cleveland. Since 1995, no quarterback has won his first start with the Browns. That’s 16 straight losses. Gabriel will be the 41st to try since the franchise returned in 1999.

The article published by Marca outlines how head coach Kevin Stefanski chose to trust Dillon Gabriel, moving Joe Flacco to the backup role and placing Shedeur Sanders as third-string. But the context goes beyond the field. In recent weeks, Sanders went viral for responding to Rex Ryan’s criticism with a silent “mime-mode” interview. According to FirstSportz, Gabriel was asked about the incident and replied diplomatically: “We’re a team. We do this as a unit. I don’t want to speak for anyone in particular.”

Asked #Browns Dillon Gabriel about Shedeur Sanders’ pantomime interview on the day Gabriel was named the starter. He said “for me, we’re a team. We do this as a unit.” And finished with this: pic.twitter.com/ksp7KfNLNt

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) October 3, 2025

Avoiding the drama

Dillon Gabriel’s response steered clear of controversy, but it made one thing clear—the locker room isn’t exactly calm. While Shedeur Sanders trends for his silence, Gabriel prepares to speak the only language that matters: football. His low-key approach contrasts sharply with the media buzz surrounding his teammate. For many, that could work in his favor on a team that needs stability more than spectacle.

The Browns’ history with quarterbacks is a rollercoaster with no brakes. From Tim Couch to Johnny Manziel, and names like Colt McCoy and Baker Mayfield in between, the franchise has tried everything without finding consistency. Now, Dillon Gabriel arrives with the mission to rewrite that narrative. The challenge is massive—but so is the opportunity.

High stakes

Several outlets also highlight that Dillon Gabriel faces the pressure of debuting not just as a starter, but within a franchise long associated with chaos at the most critical position in football. If he breaks the streak, he won’t just earn league-wide respect—he could spark a new era in Cleveland.

 

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Una publicación compartida de OluKai (@olukai)

Dillon Gabriel doesn’t mime. He doesn’t respond with gestures. He wants yards, wins, and above all, to end nearly three decades of frustration. This Sunday, the ball will be his. And maybe, finally, the silence will belong to everyone else.