Former Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel made his first NFL start on Sunday. His performance didn’t disappoint at all. He represented the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Even though the Minnesota Vikings ultimately escaped with a 21–17 win, his contribution was worthy of praise.He completed 19 of 33 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. He also made a beautiful strike late in the third quarter that briefly gave Cleveland the lead. It was a promising debut for the 24-year-old, who just a year ago was leading the Oregon Ducks to a Big Ten championship.
Dillon Gabriel and his stunning starts
Gabriel’s performance was a portrayal of a strong will to win. In the final quarter, the Browns’ offense lost some of its rhythm. This gave the Vikings a chance to get back into the game. Still, the young quarterback showed the same accuracy. His calmness and determination, which he had demonstrated in college, were also evident here. Minnesota’s defense stepped up when it mattered most, putting together a late 80-yard drive. This ended with Jordan Addison hauling in a touchdown pass with just 25 seconds left and sealing a heartbreaking loss for Cleveland.His college coach, Dan Lanning, wasn’t surprised. Earlier in the week, Lanning spoke about how proud he was of his previous quarterback. “He’s a guy that works extremely hard, and I know he won’t take this for granted,” Lanning said. “He’s still kept in touch with our team here, which says a lot about who he is as a person.”Also Read: “I can’t control anything else”: Dillon Gabriel sidesteps controversy after Shedeur Sanders’ mute interview causes backlash
The reason for the selection and the outcome
The Browns selected Gabriel in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He was seen as a developmental quarterback behind veteran Joe Flacco. But after a slow start to the season, the coaching staff decided to give the rookie a shot. He also took the opportunity and made the most of it.Gabriel now joins a growing list of Oregon quarterbacks starting in the NFL this season. Others include Justin Herbert with the Chargers, Bo Nix with the Broncos, and Marcus Mariota, who filled in earlier this year for the Washington team. Cleveland’s next test comes next Sunday against Pittsburgh, and while it’s not yet clear if Gabriel will retain the starting job, he’s certainly given the Browns something to think about and their fans a glimpse of what could be a very bright future.
