Dillon Gabriel Throws 3 TDs in Browns’ 37-13 Preseason Win Over Patriots

Dillon Gabriel completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-13 victory against New England.

Dillon Gabriel led the Cleveland Browns to a 37-13 victory over the New England Patriots on Thursday night, completing 12 of 15 pass attempts for 186 yards. The 2025 third-round draft pick accounted for three first-half touchdowns during the preseason finale. While Gabriel directed the opening half, Cleveland chose to rest Week 1 starter Deshaun Watson and backup Shedeur Sanders. The offensive output secured a 24-point margin of victory as the team prepares for the NFL’s roster cut-down deadline at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Monken Evaluates Quarterback Depth

First-year head coach Todd Monken declined to confirm if the team will carry four quarterbacks on the active 53-man roster. When asked about the status of Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green, Monken stated that he and General Manager Andrew Berry had not yet discussed the final composition of the unit. Gabriel, who was selected two rounds ahead of Sanders in the 2025 draft, started six games as a rookie before a Week 11 concussion ended his season. That injury allowed Sanders to start the final seven games of the previous campaign. During the current training camp, Monken centered the competition on Watson and Sanders, who split the majority of first-team repetitions.

Taylen Green Showcases Dual-Threat Ability

Taylen Green, a sixth-round selection, took over the offense for the second half of Thursday's contest. Green completed 5 of 7 passes for 27 yards and led all players in rushing with 66 yards on eight carries. Monken described the rookie as a highly intelligent athlete with significant potential for refinement, noting that Green had previously gone several days in camp without receiving any practice reps. Despite the performance of the younger quarterbacks, Monken clarified that the exhibition game did not alter his established plan for the starting and backup roles held by Watson and Sanders.

Gabriel Reflects on Preseason Performance

Gabriel entered the finale after playing only the fourth quarters of Cleveland's first two preseason games. He described the limited early opportunities as frustrating but aimed to maximize his time in the starting role against New England. Monken compared Gabriel’s presence on the field to having a coach, praising his professional preparation and ability to operate the system despite receiving few practice reps behind the primary veterans. Gabriel noted the importance of seeing hard work come to fruition in a live setting after his three-touchdown performance.

Historical Roster Trends in Cleveland

Cleveland has a recent history of navigating deep quarterback rooms during the preseason. In 2024, the franchise kept four passers—Watson, Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and Tyler Huntley—on the initial 53-man roster, though Huntley was released two days later. During the previous year, the team carried Sanders, Gabriel, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett through training camp. That situation concluded with the Browns trading Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders just before final cuts were made. The current decision involves balancing the development of Gabriel and Green against the established hierarchy of Watson and Sanders.