Overview
- Deshaun Watson has driven Cleveland to a 3-1 start with three late go-ahead drives, and coach Todd Monken’s scheme has firmly established Watson as the team’s starter.
- The Browns opened Dillon Gabriel’s 21-day practice window this week, allowing Gabriel to practice while the club uses the full evaluation period before deciding whether to activate him to the 53-man roster.
- Coach Monken said there is no urgency to activate Gabriel, which gives the team time to assess his back, manage scout-team reps and delay any roster move for up to three weeks.
- Keeping Gabriel available would create a four-quarterback roster with Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green, a choice the Browns could make instead of trading a backup, and local reporting says there are currently no plans to trade Sanders or Gabriel.
- The decision matters beyond the current season because Watson is in the final year of a fully guaranteed contract and Cleveland’s two 2027 first-round picks give the franchise flexibility on whether to pursue a young long-term starter.