Dillon Gabriel is officially getting his first NFL start this weekend across the pond in London to take on the Minnesota Vikings. This will make Gabriel the first QB in NFL history to make their first career
start in an International series game. It is a bold choice to make the move at this time; however, Joe Flacco has been struggling, and the Browns’ offense desperately needs a spark.
The Cleveland Browns are sitting last in the AFC North, but the division still looks to be up for grabs. Given this context, it’s interesting to consider what the expectations are for Gabriel going into this matchup and the rest of the season.
The next two opponents for the Browns should be a bit of a challenge – facing a tough Minnesota Vikings defense, followed by the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. The schedule eases up after these two games, with matchups against the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and New York Jets, where Gabriel will have a real opportunity to showcase his skill set against more manageable opponents.
In Gabriel’s first 5 starts, it would be a huge accomplishment to secure 2-3 wins. Given the low expectations for the Browns’ offense as a whole, the pressure should not be overwhelming. With Shedeur Sanders still listed as the third-string quarterback, this should help eliminate some of the public pressure to put in Sanders should Gabriel struggle in his first few starts.
Let me know what you think in the comments – How much pressure is on Dillon Gabriel? What are your expectations for him?
