The Cleveland Browns have a new head coach in former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who was hired to replace the fired Kevin Stefanski. The first major question Monken has been tasked with answering is who the Browns’ starter will be.
The focus has largely been on second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who showed flashes last year but struggled with consistency, and veteran Deshaun Watson, who missed all of last season as he recovered from an Achilles injury.
However, another, less discussed quarterback on the roster is showing out and earning more reps: second-year quarterback Dillon Gabriel
“I said it the other day, everybody’s competing, but you’re not guaranteed the same amount of reps,” Monken told reporters on Monday.
#Browns Todd Monken said Dillon Gabriel will get more reps if he continues to stack good days: pic.twitter.com/eiChCae12h
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 3, 2026
“So it’s up to the player to take advantage and maximize those reps, which I feel like Dillon has done. So we’ll see as we move forward; if that continues, we’ll continue to up his reps. He’s earned that. That’s what every player should expect, right? If they play well, you have to up the reps, or what’s the purpose of playing well?”
With reports that Sanders “looks worse” than last year, Gabriel may find himself competing for the starting job as training camp progresses. He started six games in 2025 after replacing veteran starter Joe Flacco, but struggled to push the ball down the field, and Cleveland went 1-5 before the job was ceded to Sanders.
However, with a new coach and a fresh slate, it sounds like he’s working himself right back into the mix.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.