The Cleveland Browns' offseason shake-up continues as defensive star Jared Verse claims the No. 8 jersey, forcing quarterback Dillon Gabriel to adopt a new look. The change comes after Verse was acquired from the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster trade that sent All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett to the West Coast.
Gabriel, entering his second NFL season, has swapped his rookie number for No. 6—a digit last worn by a Browns quarterback during Baker Mayfield's tenure. The switch was spotted during minicamp, with the team's social media account posting a video of Gabriel warming up in an orange practice jersey emblazoned with the new number.
“DG rocking a new look 🙌” the Browns wrote, but fans had plenty to say about the change. Some saw it as a sign of disrespect, with one user commenting, “Nah if im gabriel this the ultimate disrespect😂😂😂buddy aint have to come to you or nothing😂.” Another fan lamented, “Sadly, Dillon Gabriel is not Baker Mayfield… 😔.” The reactions ranged from playful to pointed, including a remark that Verse “snatched his f—king chain and bro couldn’t do s—t about it 😭😭😭😭.”
While Gabriel’s new number stirs memories of Mayfield, it also carries recent history. Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was the last Brown to wear No. 6, but he hasn't played in two-and-a-half seasons due to a neck injury suffered against the Baltimore Ravens in 2024. He remains on the reserve/PUP list, leaving the number open for Gabriel’s claim.
The jersey shuffle adds another layer to an already eventful offseason. Verse, who wore No. 8 with the Rams, quickly staked his claim to the same digit in Cleveland, as detailed in our report on Jared Verse's first practice. The move ruffled some feathers, but Gabriel handled the change with professionalism, even as fans debated the perceived slight.
Gabriel’s new number also sparks conversation about the quarterback room dynamics. With the Browns still awaiting league approval for the switch, as noted in our piece on the No. 8 standoff, the situation remains fluid. Meanwhile, Verse has opened up about the emotional transition from the Rams to the Browns, which you can read more about in Verse's emotional trade story.
For Gabriel, the change is more than cosmetic. It signals a fresh start and a chance to carve his own identity in Cleveland. Whether he can live up to the legacy of previous No. 6s—or the expectations of a fan base hungry for success—remains to be seen. But for now, the second-year QB is embracing his new look, even as the internet has its say.
What do you make of Gabriel’s new number? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
