Browns Announce Dillon Gabriel Decision Before 2nd NFL Season
Dillon Gabriel performed admirably for the Cleveland Browns in his opportunities during the 2025 NFL regular season. Gabriel was first named the starting quarterback in Week 5 against the Minnesota Vikings. The Mililani High School graduate played well despite the 21-17 loss, completing 19 of 33 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. The Hawaii native's first career win came in Week 7 after a 31-6 rout of the Miami Dolphins.
Gabriel's reign as the team's starter came to an end in Week 11 after he suffered a concussion in a 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The 5-foot-11 quarterback ended the season completing 110 passes for 937 yards with a 59.5% completion rate, along with seven touchdowns and two interceptions.
With first-year head coach Todd Monken now in charge and favoring either veteran Deshaun Watson or second-year pro Shedeur Sanders for the starting job, Gabriel will have to try to change Monken's mind about the depth chart through hard work during the offseason. On Tuesday, it was revealed that the second-year quarterback is in the news for another type of change.
The Browns took to the social media platform X to announce that Gabriel, who wore No. 8 last season, will wear No. 6 for the 2026 season. Gabriel has quickly given up No. 8 to edge rusher Jared Verse, who appears to have brought the number with him. Cleveland recently acquired Verse from the Los Angeles Rams in the blockbuster Myles Garrett trade.
No. 6 was available to Gabriel because linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will miss the entire 2026 regular season. Owusu-Koramoah has not played since suffering a serious neck injury in a 29-24 win over Baltimore in Week 8 of the 2024 season.
"DG rocking a new look ," the Browns wrote on X.
DG rocking a new look pic.twitter.com/gXa8IBNeSk
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) June 9, 2026
Cleveland will open the 2026 season on the road at EverBank Stadium against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 13.
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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 6:54 PM.