5 Shocking Realities Of Dillon Gabriel's Rollercoaster Browns Training Camp

Dillon Gabriel's transition to the NFL has been one of the most scrutinized storylines of the 2025 Cleveland Browns season, and his first training camp was anything but smooth. As of December 18, 2025, the rookie quarterback, drafted in the third round out of Oregon, has navigated a complex depth chart, a fierce competition with fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders, and a concerning early-camp injury that threatened to derail his progress. The battle for the primary backup role behind veteran Joe Flacco has been a daily headline, revealing both the immense potential and the raw challenges facing the former Heisman finalist.

The latest updates from the Browns' facility indicate a rookie who is fighting for every snap, showcasing flashes of the elite playmaking ability he demonstrated across three major college programs (UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon), mixed with the expected struggles of adjusting to the speed and complexity of the professional game. His performance, contract details, and standing on the depth chart—particularly in relation to Sanders and the recovering Deshaun Watson—are the defining narratives of his inaugural year in Cleveland.

Dillon Gabriel: Complete Biographical Profile & Career Milestones

Dillon Gabriel entered the NFL with one of the most decorated and statistically prolific college careers in recent memory. His journey across three major programs solidified his reputation as an elite passer and a highly durable competitor, traits the Cleveland Browns were eager to secure in the 2025 NFL Draft.

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• Full Name: Dillon Gabriel
• Born: November 30, 2000 (Age 25 as of Dec 2025)
• Hometown: Mililani, Hawaii
• NFL Draft: 2025, Round 3, Pick 94th overall
• Drafting Team: Cleveland Browns
• Position: Quarterback (QB)
• College Football Career:
  • UCF Knights (2019–2021): Began his career, earning Academic All-AAC honors twice.
  • Oklahoma Sooners (2022–2023): Continued his development in the Big 12.
  • Oregon Ducks (2024): Finished his collegiate career, earning a 3rd place finish in the 2024 Heisman Trophy voting.
• Total College Stats: Over 18,722 passing yards and 155 touchdowns across his six seasons.
• NFL Contract: Signed a 4-year contract worth $6,226,322 with the Browns, including a $1,168,232 signing bonus. The contract runs through the 2028 season.

The Fierce QB Battle: Gabriel vs. Sanders and the Browns' Depth Chart Reality

The Cleveland Browns' quarterback room in 2025 is arguably the most complex in the league, forcing Dillon Gabriel into an intense competition immediately. The true battle for the rookie is not for the starting job, but for the critical role of QB2, or at minimum, the active QB3 spot.

The 2025 Cleveland Browns Quarterback Hierarchy

The projected depth chart heading into the season was a major headline generator. While veteran Joe Flacco was slated as the starter, the subsequent spots were highly contested.

• QB1 Starter: Joe Flacco
• QB2 Backup: Dillon Gabriel (Projected)
• QB3 Reserve: Shedeur Sanders
• Reserve/PUP: Deshaun Watson (recovering from a ruptured Achilles)

This structure places Gabriel directly ahead of fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders, a situation that has created one of the most compelling training camp rivalries. Both players were given extended opportunities during mandatory minicamp and OTAs to prove their readiness.

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The Duel with Shedeur Sanders

The competition between the two 2025 draft picks—Gabriel (3rd Round) and Sanders (4th Round)—has dominated local sports coverage. While both players showcased their skills, early reports from rookie minicamp suggested Gabriel slightly outperformed Sanders.

However, the battle remained heated throughout the summer. The coaching staff is keen on evaluating which quarterback can better manage the offense under pressure and which one is better prepared to step in if Flacco were to miss time. The competition is considered a battle for the QB3 spot by some analysts, but Gabriel’s higher draft capital and contract status give him a slight edge in the initial depth chart projections.

Mixed Reviews: The Highs, The Struggles, and The Hamstring Injury

Dillon Gabriel's performance during rookie minicamp, OTAs, and the main training camp was a study in contrasts, reflecting the "rollercoaster" nature of a professional transition. His journey was complicated by an early-camp injury that forced him to miss valuable practice time.

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Early Camp Struggles and Elite Flashes

Gabriel's first impression was a mix of promising moments and rookie mistakes. During rookie minicamp, he connected with receivers like Gage Larvadain for a touchdown, demonstrating his ability to hit big plays.

However, as the intensity ramped up in full training camp, the struggles became more apparent. On one notable practice day (Day 8 of training camp), the former Oregon Ducks quarterback completed only three of 14 pass attempts, throwing his second interception of the camp. This kind of poor performance led to media speculation and concern about his readiness for the NFL level.

Gabriel acknowledged the challenges, stating, "Well, it's life," when discussing the rough start to his professional career. This mindset highlights the mental fortitude needed to compete against veteran defensive schemes.

The Hamstring Setback

Adding to the complexity of his training camp was a hamstring injury suffered early on. The injury was significant enough that Head Coach Kevin Stefanski chose to sit Gabriel out of certain preseason activities, prioritizing his recovery over immediate game reps.

A hamstring issue during the critical developmental phase of training camp is a major setback for any rookie, as it limits opportunities to build chemistry with receivers and prove consistency to the coaching staff. The time missed allowed Shedeur Sanders more time to impress, further intensifying the competition.

Despite the injury and the mixed on-field reviews, the Browns remain invested in Gabriel. His four-year rookie contract, with over a million dollars guaranteed, demonstrates the organization's long-term commitment to developing him into a franchise quarterback. His next step will be to use the remaining time in the season to fully recover, master the playbook, and solidify his position as a valuable asset in the Cleveland Browns' future.