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Dillon Gabriel #8 of the Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns have put free agency and the NFL draft behind them, and are moving into the workout phase of the offseason–though, it should be pointed out that the team can and will still sign a free agent or two in the coming weeks. But the bulk of the roster is set, as is the case in most other franchises, which means we are not likely to be seeing many changes. That’s probably not a great situation for one Brown in particular: Dillon Gabriel.

In the battle to win the starting quarterback’s job in 2026, Gabriel is the forgotten man. It’s Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders going back and forth with the advantage at the top of the depth chart, and Gabriel is the afterthought, sticking around because no one quite knows what to do with him.

There’s an argument for Watson in that he is being paid an absurd amount of money, and was a Pro Bowler at one time who might still have a Pro Bowler within him. There’s an argument for Sanders in that he was talented enough to be considered a first-rounder by some in 2025, and at 24 years old, he could develop into a reliable starter.

Browns Trade With Falcons Not Happening

There’s no argument for Dillon Gabriel to be the Browns’ quarterback, though, after he showed he can’t throw downfield and isn’t quite the super-processor he was said to be when he was drafted. Gabriel went 1-5 in his six starts last season. Sixth-round rookie Taylen Green might have a more compelling argument as Browns QB1 in 2026 at this point.

So what happens now with Gabriel? There was considerable chatter that Cleveland could trade him to Atlanta this offseason, where he could re-join Kevin Stefanski and again compete for a job. But that possibility, per Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland, is dead.

Wrote Grossi in his mailbag this week: “A Gabriel-to-Atlanta trade will not happen. The Falcons signed Tua Tagovailoa to be the starter until Michael Penix returns from a torn left ACL. The Falcons also signed veteran journeyman Trevor Siemian. Even if Siemian doesn’t pan out as QB3, no team trades for a QB3.”

Dillon Gabriel Likely to be Released

At the very least, the Browns are positioning themselves as though they are holding an open quarterback competition, with Watson, Sanders, Gabriel and Green all lining up with the potential to win the job.

Said coach Todd Monken on the subject of competing for the QB job: “Well, let’s just talk about what competition means at every position. Every player that’s going to be a part of our roster is going to be competing, right? Whoever we bring in, starting with rookie minicamp and then OTAs, mandatory minicamp, and then training camp.

“But as we’ve spoken before, at any position that doesn’t mean equal reps. There has to be some form of a depth chart per say. Everybody has a chance to compete. They just, they’re not always going to get equal reps, if that makes sense. ”

And Gabriel is not in line for equal reps in the Browns’ quarterback battle. He won’t be traded so, unless he makes a compelling case for Cleveland to carry three QBs and keep Green on the practice squad, his tenure with the Browns is likely to end in a release.