Dillon Gabriel 'Excited' for the Opportunity to Make His NFL Debut in Browns-Vikings

He was chosen to start over Joe Flacco in Week 5.
Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel will make his NFL debut.
Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel will make his NFL debut. / Peter Casey-Imagn Images
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Dillon Gabriel will make his first NFL start on Sunday in London when the Browns face the Vikings. The rookie quarterback was chosen in favor of veteran Joe Flacco, who started the first four contests for Cleveland.

All eyes will be on Gabriel on Sunday morning when he makes his debut, especially since the Browns quarterback competition this offseason was highly contested. Even with all the added pressure, Gabriel is excited to get out there and show fans what he's capable of.

"I smile because it's like a moment you prep for and you are extremely excited for, but also got to realize it's extreme focus, and that's what I've continued to harp on," Gabriel said on Wednesday. "You wait for the perfect time, you're going to wait a whole lifetime. So, for me, I've always been ready for every moment."

Gabriel will enter the contest as the Browns are 1-3 from Flacco's lead.

Fact or Fiction?. Gabriel FF. Browns Will Regret Starting Gabriel vs Vikes. light

Gabriel spent six years in college, three at UCF and two in Oklahoma, before finishing his career at Oregon. As a senior in 2024, the 24-year-old completed 72.9% of his passes for 3,857 yards, with 30 touchdowns and six interceptions. He added seven rushing scores.


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Madison Williams
MADISON WILLIAMS

Madison Williams is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where she specializes in tennis but covers a wide range of sports from a national perspective. Before joining SI in 2022, Williams worked at The Sporting News. Having graduated from Augustana College, she completed a master’s in sports media at Northwestern University. She is a dog mom and an avid reader.