- Dillon Gabriel will make his first NFL start Sunday in London against the Vikings after recent mop-up duty.
- How does Wednesday’s pivot affect fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders?
- And why are we name checking a corporate sponsor in this analysis?
Even if Wednesday morning’s latest NFL quarterbacking turn seemed to come out of left field – which has been something of a black hole for baseball’s Cleveland Guardians, including Tuesday’s loss in their playoff opener – it shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise.
The Cleveland Browns’ Joe Flacco, who’s been sitting on a quarterbacking seat as hot as any in the league this season, officially lost his job to rookie Dillon Gabriel. The team even issued a press release – it was not sponsored by DUDE Wipes – announcing the changing of the guard(ian) for a team with a QB room as scrutinized as any in the league. Gabriel’s first start will come Sunday morning (U.S. time) against the Minnesota Vikings in London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
What does it mean for the Browns and beyond? Here are some winners and losers (not yet sponsored by DUDE Wipes) to nosh on:
WINNERS
Shedeur Sanders
Perhaps the most notable player of the 2025 NFL draft – for sooo many reasons – the fifth-rounder will, for now, remain Cleveland’s third-stringer behind Gabriel and Flacco. That said, it stands to reason that Wednesday’s outcome marks progress for Sanders. He’ll witness firsthand how a fellow NFL greenhorn manages his QB1 opportunity, whether Gabriel does it well or poorly. If Gabriel flops, Sanders draws closer to his own chance. If Gabriel is a revelation who becomes the Browns’ starter for the next 15 years, then Sanders is closer to finding a better situation elsewhere. And whether or not Flacco remains on the roster for the rest of the year, hard to believe Sanders isn’t at least closer to moving up the depth chart eventually. Just ask him.
Vikings defense
While rookie NFL quarterbacks are something of an unknown commodity – at least in terms of professional game film, tendencies and schematic deployment – that can hinder how defenses attack them. But Gabriel has to seem like red meat to Minnesota’s salty D. Coordinator Brian Flores orchestrates an attack that can throw the kitchen sink at the most seasoned players, creating havoc, confusion and, quite often, negative outcomes for the offense. Few teams blitz as much or generate more pressure than the Vikes. They should be quite a stern test for a young passer taking his first meaningful NFL snaps. And after a tough loss in Dublin on Sunday, this team should already be rested and ready, another advantage Gabriel won’t have.
Quinshon Judkins
Another of the Browns’ rookies, Judkins’ still unwinding legal issues delayed his debut. But he’s quickly become the team’s top back – posting 281 yards and two TDs from scrimmage while providing a physical presence in his three appearances to date. Lining up with Gabriel, a far more mobile quarterback than the statuesque and ancient Flacco, should bring more variance to the offense and perhaps create wider rush lanes against defenses which can no longer assume the quarterback will basically remain parked in the pocket.
Dillon Gabriel
It’s fairly uncommon for a third-rounder to be tabbed as an NFL team’s starting QB as early as Week 5. But Gabriel, who earned the backup job once his tender hamstring allowed him to play during preseason, now gets to live out his dream. A six-year starter in college – he played for Central Florida, Oklahoma and Oregon – he holds the FBS record after generating 190 career touchdowns, and his 18,722 passing yards are second only to Case Keenum. Gabriel’s stature (5-11, 205) and average arm talent didn’t do him any favors in the pre-draft process, but he’s no raw rookie – his 63 FBS starts another record. His steadiness and experience, if not professional, should serve him well in what’s an inherently challenging promotion.
LOSERS
Dillon Gabriel
Yep, we’ll have it both ways here, as we do. Gabriel’s first shot comes against that Vikings defense … after he tries to kick the transatlantic jet lag Minnesota won’t … while doubtless cramming his brain with information during the 4,000-mile trip from Ohio … while playing behind two backup tackles and/or maybe a third (Cam Robinson) just acquired from the Houston Texans … and with relatively little margin for error given Sanders is lurking and this franchise owns two first-round picks to pursue yet another young quarterback in 2026 if coach Kevin Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry so choose. No pressure, kid.
Joe Flacco
The 40-year-old former Super Bowl MVP has officially entered the Russell Wilson zone, relegated to QB2 duties, his best outcome for the rest of 2025 perhaps being traded to a contender (read: LA Chargers) with no safety net behind an established starter. Flacco is unfailingly transparent about his desire to play − and most things, really − but might have finally reached the end of the road on that front.
Browns fans in Cleveland
Their Brownies will technically be the home team in London, so the Dawg Pound won’t even get the opportunity to personally witness Gabriel’s first start nor root him on in what projects as a tough matchup.
Browns/NFL fans in London
Given the circumstances, what’s supposed to be a league showcase in the U.K. has the potential to get ugly quickly and might not wind up being worth the price of admission. Or the tariff.
‘Alpha Dawg’ presented by DUDE Wipes
Let’s get to the meat (perhaps digested) of the matter. Cleveland’s only win this season came in Week 3, when they wore their new all-brown uniforms – the “Alpha Dawg” version, sponsored by DUDE Wipes – in an upset of the Green Bay Packers. It was the only time in the past three weeks that Gabriel didn’t, well, wipe up in relief of Flacco. The preponderance of evidence suggests that the Browns play like, you know, when they’re not dressed like … you know. Why not show up in a way that curbs the appetite of Purple People Eaters?
Note: Unlike the Tush Push, USA TODAY Sports’ NFL winners and losers columns remain available to be sponsored by DUDE Wipes.