Gabriel sustained a concussion in Week 11 against the Ravens, after which Shedeur Sanders took over and never relinquished the job. Despite being largely out of the spotlight this offseason, Browns general manager Andrew Berry stressed that Gabriel is not forgotten within the organization and remains “a guy that has a bright future in this league.”
With Gabriel currently third on the depth chart behind Sanders and Deshaun Watson, questions about his future in Cleveland persist. The team’s public stance may be signaling openness to exploring Gabriel’s trade value as they consider adding a developmental quarterback later in the draft to bolster the quarterback room.
Speculation has grown around the possibility of drafting a mid-to-late round quarterback, such as Penn State’s Drew Allar, to complement the current options. If Cleveland adds another developmental QB, Gabriel’s role could quickly come under evaluation as the organization looks to maximize value from last year’s third-round investment.
Meanwhile, Sanders appears positioned to compete for the starting role after a rookie season that included seven starts and 1,400 passing yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Browns officials say the priority for Sanders is continued growth, improved efficiency, and the ability to generate plays both within and outside the structure, as the team assesses his readiness for a full-time starting role.
