The Browns’ QB room is already stacked with veteran talent like Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. But that doesn’t mean rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are out of the picture. These two landed in Cleveland with their own drives—fifth-rounder Sanders is all about proving his worth, while third-round pick Gabriel brings that big-time momentum from his successful Oregon season. Drafting both top college QBs definitely creates pressure, setting up questions about who could eventually step up as QB1 first. Amidst all that, Gabriel finds his calm in his relationship with girlfriend Zo Caswell, whose happy news even brought their families together and offers him peace in the chaos.
Zo has been Dillon’s biggest supporter, always by his side, whether celebrating his 94th overall pick with a proud “Ohio got a good one, so proud,” or just showing up on game day sidelines. Now, it’s Zo’s turn to shine bright—she just earned her MBA! Both families couldn’t hold back their excitement. Gabriel’s brother, Roman, even shared a proud moment on Instagram, posting a picture with Zo in her graduation cap, simply captioned, “Congratulations.” Zo’s sister, Elleu, chimed in too, writing, “Congratulations to my sissy for getting her MBA.” It’s the kind of personal milestone that can bring a sense of balance to a young athlete, especially when the professional stakes are this high.
But when it came to making noise at rookie minicamp, it was Sanders who stole the spotlight early. Drafted behind Gabriel, Sanders wasted no time proving his doubters wrong, flashing a tight spiral and calm command from the first snap. On Day 1, he hit rookie receiver Gage Larvadain with a deep, precise strike that showcased the arm talent he’s known for. His confidence radiated throughout the session, with teammates like rookie running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson even joining in on his signature watch flex pose during drills.
Sanders’ confidence isn’t just in his throws. He doubled down on his belief in himself by grabbing Tom Brady’s iconic No. 12 jersey—a bold move that signals he’s not just here to play; he’s here to make a statement. “My job here isn’t to prove people wrong,” Sanders told Browns staff writer Kelsey Russo. “It’s to prove myself right.” It’s clear Sanders isn’t lacking for motivation, and his early performance has already turned heads in the Browns’ facility.
via IMAGO
On Day 1, Sanders and Gabriel split practice reps, with Gabriel getting the first handful of snaps in the team drills. Despite the initial buzz, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was quick to downplay the importance of early rep orders, making it clear that the rookie minicamp is just the beginning of a long evaluation process. “You may get the first rep of practice with the ones, but then the next period you may get the second group,” Stefanski said. “We’re focused more on the totality of this competition. It’s not just about one rep at rookie minicamp or one rep in an OTA. It’s really all about the body of work.”
While Gabriel took the early snaps, Sanders’ sharp play is keeping the pressure on. With the Browns’ quarterback depth chart still in flux, every practice rep counts as the two rookies jostle for position behind veterans Flacco, Pickett, and the injured Deshaun Watson.
Dillon Gabriel is not letting the outside noise get to him
Dillon Gabriel, for his part, is embracing the competition. When asked about sharing the room with a prospect like Sanders, he struck a philosophical tone. “You know, I love him for who he is. I think we can learn from each other,” Gabriel said, addressing the potential rivalry. “I’ve done it at every stage and at every level. So thank God for that and for the excellent preparation. But I also want you to know that my competition is yesterday. How can I be better than yesterday? That’s what I’m focusing on, and I’m continuing to create an environment that people want to be a part of.”
It’s a mature mindset from Gabriel, who led the FBS in total touchdowns (189) and ranked second in passing yards (18,722) over his college career—a track record that speaks for itself. He’s not just competing against Sanders but also against the memory of his own past performances, a personal challenge that might just keep him ahead in this QB battle.
Even analysts are weighing in on this quarterback duel. Noted football analyst Philip Dukes recently broke down the two rookies’ styles, offering an interesting take. “Gabriel moves around, is a little shifty in the pocket, does have good accuracy, and reminds some of a more compact Bo Nix,” he said, noting Gabriel’s ability to extend plays and deliver under pressure.
He also praised Sanders, calling him the “accuracy king” and highlighting his elite ball placement. “No college quarterback was more accurate than Shedeur. Another guy who has really good ball placement and throws really catchable balls,” Dukes added. Well, his 74% completion rate last season was proof of that.
So, with minicamp in the books, both rookies have shown flashes of potential, but the real test will come when the pads go on for training camp. For now, the Browns have a QB room bursting with talent, potential, and, most importantly, competition. Whether it’s the cool, collected approach of Dillon Gabriel or the high-stakes swagger of Shedeur Sanders, the Browns are banking on one of these young guns emerging as a future franchise cornerstone. But until then….which one will rise above the noise and claim the spotlight when it matters most?
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