Cleveland Browns Set to Ditch Star Quarterback in Shocking Split

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

The Cleveland Browns want to change their quarterback group this offseason. New head coach Todd Monken wants a clearer depth chart. That could mean Dillon Gabriel loses his spot on the team.

Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report expects the Browns to release Gabriel this summer. Cleveland drafted him in the third round last year, and he started six games as a rookie. Ballentine thinks the team is ready to move on.

“The franchise seems to be headed toward a split from the rookie who started six games this past season,” Ballentine wrote Friday. He also said, “Zac Jackson of The Athletic reported that the Browns are likely to go into next season with a quarterback battle between Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson and a mid-round pick. That makes Gabriel the odd man out and the Browns can get some cap relief out of the deal if they make him a post-June 1 designation.”

Ballentine called Gabriel the odd man out. He also said the Cleveland Browns could save about $1.1 million in salary cap space if they release him after June 1.

Monken does not have to decide right away. Gabriel’s salary is small, so the team can wait. The coach will likely review all the quarterbacks during training camp before making a final call.

Jackson believes the team will stay patient as well.“Though it’s hard to imagine the Browns continuing to employ Sanders and Dillon Gabriel after inexplicably drafting both last April, Gabriel is also signed through 2028,” Jackson wrote on January 13. He added that the Browns will take their time to shape the room.

Jackson also mentioned another possible move. The Browns could extend Watson through 2027 to lower his huge salary cap number. Watson counts nearly $81 million against the cap this season. The team would not save money by cutting him, so they plan to give him every chance to return from his Achilles injury.

Draft Plans Could Shape Cleveland’s Future

Cleveland’s salary cap issues will make it hard to add players in free agency. Because of that, the Browns will likely look to the NFL Draft for help. They have the No. 6 overall pick and another first-round pick at No. 24.

Many analysts believe Fernando Mendoza is the only clear franchise quarterback in this draft class. The Browns may not get a chance to draft him early. That could force them to wait and look at other options later in the first round.

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has become a possible target. Cleveland could consider taking him with the No. 24 pick, which they got from Jacksonville in a trade last year.

Simpson offers mobility and solid production. He has only 15 college starts, but threw for nearly 3,600 yards in the SEC last season. Monken prefers quarterbacks who can move and make plays outside the pocket.

Other teams are also interested. The Rams and Steelers could draft Simpson before Cleveland’s second first-round pick. That risk puts extra pressure on the Browns as they plan their next quarterback move.