Browns turning to rookie QB could be just what Vikings need

Cleveland has 56 points through four games and it appears that they'll be handing the keys to a terrible offense to a rookie quarterback for his first NFL start.

May 10, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) passes as quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) looks on during rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Joe Flacco may be headed for a clipboard while the Browns throw rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel into the fire for his first career start on Sunday. But not just any first career start. If it happens, Gabriel will be making his starting debut in London and against the NFL's most complex defense.

Are the Browns crazy? Maybe that's a bit harsh, but they are definitely bold as head coach Kevin Stefanski informed the team Wednesday that Gabriel will start, with Joe Flacco serving as the backup quarterback after posting the league's lowest passer rating in the first four games of the season.

Flacco has thrown two touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 58.1% of his passes through four games this season. Last season, Flacco starting against the Vikings while playing for the Colts and he finished with a sub-optimal day with 179 passing yards, zero touchdowns and one interception. He was also sacked three times.

Gabriel has thrown four passes in two brief appearances this season. He was Cleveland's third-round pick earlier this year, with quarterback Shedeur Sanders being taken by the Browns in the fifth round.

Vikings undefeated against rookie QBs under Flores

Minnesota is 5-0 against rookie starting quarterbacks under defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

Last season, the Vikings played three games against rookie quarterbacks. They beat Will Levis and the Titans once, and Caleb Williams and the Bears twice.

Levis was sacked five times and finished 17 of 31 for 295 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Williams totaled 531 yards with three touchdowns and no picks in two starts, and the Vikings sacked him five times. The Vikings didn't exactly manhandle either rookie last season, but they won both games and piled up a good amount of sacks.

In 2023, Flores' defense shut down Carolina rookie Bryce Young while sacking him five times. They also shut out the Raiders and rookie Aidan O'Connell, who was sacked four times and threw an interception.

If Gabriel starts, he'll be going to battle without two of their top three receivers as Cedric Tillman and DeAndre Carter are expected to miss multiple weeks with injuries. That leaves Jerry Jeudy as the No. 1 and a hodge podge of receivers behind him, including Jamari Thrash and Isaiah Bond.

Jeudy leads Cleveland with 182 receiving yards, but he has only 13 catches despite being targeted 30 times. Bond has seven catches for 85 yards and Thrash has just four receptions for 15 yards this season.

Good luck to Dillon Gabriel if he is indeed starting. He's going to need it.