Cleveland Browns bench Joe Flacco; Dillon Gabriel named starting QB vs Vikings

The Cleveland Browns are shaking things up under center.

Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel has been handed the keys to the offense and will make his first NFL start this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, the team confirmed on Wednesday. Gabriel steps in for veteran Joe Flacco, who will shift into the backup role for Week 5, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski reportedly broke the news to the locker room earlier in the day. Meanwhile, former Colorado star Shedeur Sanders will continue to serve as the Browns’ third-string quarterback.

Joe Flacco arrived in Cleveland over the offseason and edged out his competition to win the starting job after a highly scrutinized training camp battle. But the results haven't followed. The veteran has steered the Browns to a disappointing 1-3 record, with the offense sputtering badly under his direction. 

In last week's 34-10 defeat to the Detroit Lions, Flacco managed just 16-of-34 passing for 184 yards while tossing two interceptions. Through four games, he’s produced only two touchdowns against six picks and owns a meager 27.0 QBR — ahead of only Tennessee Titans rookie Cam Ward.

Although head coach Kevin Stefanski initially downplayed the idea of a quarterback change after the Lions loss, his stance shifted quickly, opening the door for rookie Dillon Gabriel.

The third-round pick out of Oregon has already seen the field in relief duty during blowouts, flashing promise in limited snaps. Gabriel was a perfect 3-for-3 with a touchdown pass in garbage time of the Week 2 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and he also got late action in last week’s defeat. At Oregon, he turned heads last season with 3,857 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and only six interceptions, finishing third in the Heisman race.

Now, the rookie gets his first shot as QB1, while the 18-year veteran Flacco slides into the backup role. Despite his confidence that he’s ready to start at the pro level, Shedeur Sanders will remain the team's No. 3 option on the depth chart.

Shedeur Sanders still has a couple of roadblocks to clear before he gets his opportunity in Cleveland.

That could all become irrelevant if rookie Dillon Gabriel steps in and solidifies himself as the Browns’ long-term solution under center. But should Gabriel falter, the front office will have little choice but to give Sanders a look.

At 1-3, Cleveland is already staring down the possibility of a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Before they reach that point, they’ll need clarity on what both Gabriel and Sanders bring to the table in order to decide whether selecting another quarterback next spring is necessary.

For now, Sanders remains stuck in the third spot on the depth chart. Still, if Gabriel fails to seize the job, it feels inevitable the former Colorado standout will eventually get his shot. That said, the Oregon product will be given every chance to prove he can handle the reins first.