Gabriel's three-touchdown half highlights Browns' preseason finale
Cleveland's third-string quarterback Dillon Gabriel completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns in the first half against New England. Two scores went to Luke Floriea and one to Ahmani Marshall, helping the Browns build a 27-13 halftime lead. The team's starters, including newly named QB1 Deshaun Watson, did not play.
Gabriel's performance came after he spent the 2025 season as a rookie starter for six games before a November injury sidelined him, with Shedeur Sanders finishing the year. Thursday marked Gabriel's first extended preseason action, and his connection with Floriea produced three scoring opportunities, one of which was overturned on replay review.
The quarterback situation in Cleveland remains tense. Watson has started only 19 games across four seasons with the team, and fans cheered his 2024 Achilles injury. The Browns removed anti-Watson signage from the stadium earlier this week. Cleveland opens the regular season with road games at Jacksonville and Tampa Bay before hosting Carolina in Week 3.
This story reflects the broader tension between team management decisions and fan sentiment in professional sports. Cleveland's handling of Watson—a highly paid, underperforming starter—may influence how other franchises approach guaranteed contracts and player accountability. The fan backlash, including boos and signage, could shape how teams weigh public opinion against front-office judgment. Gabriel's strong showing may also affect roster decisions and future quarterback competitions, potentially impacting player careers and team chemistry as the regular season approaches.