Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel got the first (unofficial) start of his NFL career Saturday against the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles.
He completed 13-of-18 pass attempts for 143 yards and had an interception and lost fumble in two quarters of action. News 5 Cleveland sideline reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala asked him during the game about handling ‘the noise’ around the Browns’ quarterback competition.
“There are entertainers and there are competitors, and I totally understand that,” Gabriel said. “And my job is to compete, and that’s what I’m focused on doing. Of course, we’re doing this (interview) midgame, but it’s something that I’ll get used to and I just want to be the best teammate that I can be and create an environment where we can all go do our best work. That’s all we want to do.”
Many interpreted his comments as a shot at fellow Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. After the Browns’ 22-13 win over Philadelphia, Gabriel clarified what he meant by ‘entertainers’ and ‘competitors.’
‘First off, I am all about our team, you know what I mean?’ Gabriel said. ‘And each other. I would never make that, and I’ve said it before, that’s why it’s interesting. But, for me, I’ve explained it. Entertainers are you all (in the media). Competitor, that’s what I am and all my teammates, and we both have jobs to do. So that’s it.’
When asked if he was referring to the media as ‘entertainers,’ Gabriel confirmed it.
Sanders started the Browns’ first preseason game against Carolina and completed 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He was potentially going to start Saturday’s game against Philadelphia but suffered a minor oblique injury and is day-to-day.
‘We will treat it day-to-day and see how he responds,’ Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. ‘But we want to be smart. He’s a thrower, so you can’t push that thing.’
Browns QB depth chart
Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco is currently expected to win the Browns’ starting job this season but there’s still plenty to sort out behind him. Here’s how the depth chart currently stands:
Joe Flacco
Kenny Pickett
Shedeur Sanders
Dillon Gabriel
Tyler Huntley
Deshaun Watson (injured reserve)