Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken has set off a firestorm of criticism after his recent comments about the team's quarterback room. In what many fans are interpreting as a direct jab at second-year signal-caller Dillon Gabriel, Monken declared that the Browns have exactly two starting-level quarterbacks on the roster.
“Every day I kind of lean one way or the other with quarterbacks,” Monken told reporters Wednesday, via Cleveland.com. “But we’ve still got to get to that point. Who’s going to start for us? But I’m fired up by the quarterbacks. I just tell you, we’ve got two starting-level quarterbacks. We really do.”
It didn’t take long for fans and analysts to connect the dots. With Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson firmly atop the depth chart, Monken’s “two starting-level” comment left Gabriel — a 2025 third-round pick — conspicuously unmentioned. The message was clear: in Monken’s eyes, Gabriel is not starter material.
Gabriel, who was taken with the 94th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, had a mixed rookie season. He threw for 937 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions before being replaced by Sanders, who himself struggled with a 56.6% completion rate, 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Despite those numbers, Monken sees Sanders as a viable starter alongside Watson.
Social media erupted with reactions, with many fans calling the coach’s remarks a blatant shot at Gabriel. “What a shot at Dillon Gabriel,” one fan wrote. “I appreciate the honesty.” Another added, “Dillon was QB1 at one point last year. What did Kevin see?” A third comment read simply, “Goodnight Dillon Gabriel.”
The tension between Monken and Gabriel isn’t new. About two months ago, Monken revealed that Sanders had been at the Browns facility “a bunch” after his hiring, while Gabriel had not been seen near the team’s headquarters. “As far as I know, he has not,” Monken said at the time. “I have not seen Dillon yet.”
Gabriel has yet to respond publicly to Monken’s latest comments, but speculation is mounting that his time in Cleveland may be short-lived. Some insiders believe the Browns could look to trade or release Gabriel before the start of the season, especially given the team’s recent moves — including the blockbuster trade that sent Myles Garrett to the Rams for Jared Verse and future picks — signaling a full commitment to a win-now roster.
Monken’s comments also come after he opened the door to meeting with Deion Sanders, further fueling rumors that the coaching staff is looking outside the organization for quarterback options. For Gabriel, the writing on the wall seems to be getting bolder by the day.
Whether Gabriel will get a chance to prove Monken wrong remains to be seen. But for now, the Browns’ quarterback room is a two-man show, and Gabriel is not on the guest list.
