Dillon Gabriel Under Fire: Todd Monken Rips QB After Preseason Meltdown

The pressure is mounting in Cleveland. In a preseason clash against the Buffalo Bills, the Cleveland Browns suffered a bruising 31-7 defeat, but the real story unfolded in the final moments of the game. While the scoreboard was already decided, the performance of Dillon Gabriel sparked a fiery reaction from head coach Todd Monken.

A Nightmare Final Possession

Dillon Gabriel’s appearance was brief, but it was far from clean. Replacing Deshaun Watson late in the fourth quarter, Gabriel had a single opportunity to lead the offense. However, the drive quickly devolved into chaos, marked by three devastating false-start penalties.

Coach Todd Monken did not mince words following the game, expressing his frustration with the team’s lack of discipline and operational failure. In a raw post-game interview, Monken highlighted a critical flaw in the execution:

“You can’t lead an offense if you can’t lead a cadence,” Monken remarked, emphasizing that the breakdowns were unacceptable regardless of who was under center.

Gabriel finished the outing 0-for-1, never finding the rhythm needed to shake off the early penalties. Monken summed up the internal struggle with a poignant phrase: “Browns hurting Browns.”

The Fight for a Roster Spot

For Dillon Gabriel, this wasn’t just a bad few minutes of football—it was a blow to his job security. While he earned early praise during training camp for maximizing his limited repetitions, that momentum has completely evaporated during the preseason.

Gabriel’s Recent Struggles:

n
• Vs. Buffalo Bills: 0/1 passing, multiple false starts on possession.
• Vs. Chicago Bears: 5 of 8 completions, 23 yards, 1 interception, and 2 sacks.
• Rookie Season Recap: Started 6 games (1-5 record), 937 yards, 7 TDs, and 2 INTs before a concussion sidelined him.

With the addition of rookie Taylen Green in the sixth round, the competition at the quarterback position has become a gauntlet. Gabriel is no longer just competing for a starting role; he is fighting to remain on the Cleveland Browns roster entirely.

The QB Carousel: Watson vs. Sanders

While Gabriel struggles, the battle for the starting job between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders remains undecided, though the tape tells two different stories.

Shedeur Sanders emerged as the statistical winner of the game, completing 9 of 11 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown. His ability to lead an 11-play scoring drive provided the spark the Browns desperately need. On the other hand, Deshaun Watson struggled, completing only 5 of 12 passes for 36 yards and throwing an interception, resulting in loud boos from the home crowd at Huntington Bank Field.

What’s Next for Cleveland?

Coach Monken has admitted that he is “not there yet” regarding the naming of a permanent starter. With the regular season kickoff against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 13, the Browns are in a race against time to find a stable presence at quarterback.

For Dillon Gabriel, the clock is ticking. If he cannot rectify the operational errors and prove his leadership on the field, his time in Cleveland may be shorter than expected.