The Cleveland Browns have not looked great to start the 2025 NFL season. Cleveland is just 1-3 through four games after a crushing loss in Detroit on Sunday. Now the Browns are ready to make a change at quarterback in the hopes of reviving their offense and rescuing the remainder of the 2025 season.
The Browns have officially benched Joe Flacco and will start rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, the team announced on social media on Wednesday.
Cleveland made the decision to bench Flacco for Gabriel on Wednesday morning, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Gabriel's first game as Cleveland's starter will come on Sunday against the Vikings in London.
The rumors were already spreading about a potential quarterback change on Tuesday. Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reported that there was “belief” on Tuesday that a quarterback change could happen.
“The current belief is that the Browns are going to make a change at quarterback and start rookie Dillon Gabriel this week vs. the Vikings, sources tell CBS Sports,” Zenitz wrote on social media.
Now Gabriel has limited time to get ready for a ferocious Vikings defense.
How will Dillon Gabriel change the Browns' chances of beating Vikings in Week 5?
It will be fascinating to see how the addition of Dillon Gabriel changes Cleveland's offense in Week 5.
Unfortunately, a matchup against the Vikings is not the best test of Gabriel's talents. Minnesota's ferocious defense, led by defensive coordinator Brian Flores, thoroughly dismantled backup Jake Browning in Week 3. They will look to do the same against Gabriel.
As a result, Browns fans should expect to see plenty of rookie running back Quinshon Judkins on Sunday. If Cleveland can get their running game going, it could take some pressure off Gabriel.
Cleveland could also use plenty of simple pressure beaters, such as screen plays and RPOs, to help get the ball out of Gabriel's hands quickly.
Browns fans should be patient with their rookie quarterback. Gabriel only threw one pass, an incompletion, in garbage time against the Lions on Sunday. Now he travels to Europe for his first NFL start against a dominant defense. More than likely he will struggle in Week 5.
But at least the Browns will learn more about their young rookie quarterback during a transitional 2025 season.
Browns vs. Vikings kicks off at 9:30AM ET on Sunday.
