After another putrid performance from veteran QB Joe Flacco, the Cleveland Browns are finally making a change under center. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has benched Flacco for the team’s Week 5 game against the Minnesota Vikings. Here’s the latest on the Browns’ quarterbook room and who will get the start.
Who Will Start for the Browns With Joe Flacco Getting Benched?
On Wednesday, the Browns announced that they are set to make a change at the quarterback position in Week 5. However, it won’t be Shedeur Sanders getting the nod, as he remains the QB3 on the depth chart.
Instead, Dillon Gabriel will make his first start for the Browns against the Vikings in London.
“Change in Cleveland: Browns are benching veteran QB Joe Flacco in favor of rookie QB Dillon Gabriel, per sources,” wrote NFL insider Adam Schefter. “The Browns were informed of the change this morning. Gabriel’s first NFL start comes Sunday in London vs. the Vikings.”
Change in Cleveland: Browns are benching veteran QB Joe Flacco in favor of rookie QB Dillon Gabriel, per sources. The Browns were informed of the change this morning.
Gabriel’s first NFL start comes Sunday in London vs. the Vikings. pic.twitter.com/lUV1W5RQob
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 1, 2025
In four games, Flacco has thrown for 815 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions. He is currently ranked as the 34th-best quarterback in the league based on PFSN’s Quarterback Impact score. The Browns will now pivot to a younger quarterback, with Gabriel getting the first opportunity to start.
MORE: PFSN’s 2025 QB Impact Rankings
Cleveland drafted Gabriel with the 94th overall pick in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The team’s decision to select him surprised many, and it looked even stranger after they picked Sanders in the fifth round.
Gabriel played six years in college, three at UCF, two at Oklahoma, and his final year at Oregon. In 64 games across his collegiate career, the 24-year-old quarterback threw for 18,722 yards, 155 touchdowns, and 32 interceptions. However, if Gabriel struggles, it won’t take long for Browns fans to call for Sanders to get an opportunity under center.
Kevin Stefanski Explains Decision To Make Dillon Gabriel QB1
Stefanski spoke to the media after the Browns made Gabriel the starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. He admitted that the quarterback change was solely his decision.
“This is not about one person,” Stefanski said, as per ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi. “Joe is a captain of this football team. We’re going to need his leadership going forward, as always. … [Dillon’s] handled everything well since he’s been on campus here. So just gonna have to support the young man… Just my decision where I felt this decision was best for the football team.”
When asked why Sanders is still the team’s QB3, the Browns HC didn’t give a straightforward answer but said, “Joe’s the backup… My focus is on the game. Joe is the backup.”
Asked again if there was any discussion about bumping Sanders to QB2, Stefanski said: “My focus is on the game. Joe is the backup.” https://t.co/OPzTUsh0jZ
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) October 1, 2025
Stefanski also talked about Gabriel and praised him. “From the second he’s been here, he’s been working very hard,” the Browns HC said. “He’s a very intelligent young man.”
“He’s done a nice job throughout practice and this whole season he’s been learning how to get yourself ready and understand the rhythm of an NFL week and what that looks like as a backup,” Stefanski added. “Obviously, now feel like he’s ready to go as a starter.”
Don’t Expect to See QB Deshaun Watson Anytime Soon
The Browns also have Deshaun Watson, who hasn’t played a snap this season since he’s been dealing with a torn Achilles since October 20, 2024. Watson played just seven games last season and struggled mightily, and the $230 million man hasn’t come close to living up to his contract.
Despite being with the team since 2022, he’s appeared in just 19 games. In three seasons, he’s played only two more games than are in one regular season.
Some Browns analysts speculated that Watson might return and take over as the starter for Flacco at some point this season, but a recent update suggests that isn’t happening.
#Browns QB Deshaun Watson (Achilles) is not expected to have his practice window opened this week even though he’s eligible after 4 weeks on reserve/PUP.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 29, 2025
“QB Deshaun Watson (Achilles) is not expected to have his practice window opened this week even though he’s eligible after 4 weeks on reserve/PUP,” Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot wrote.
MORE: Try PFSN’s 2025 NFL Playoff Predictor
Prior to the 2025 season, Watson was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. When players go on PUP, they are eligible to return after missing four regular season games.
Clearly, the Browns don’t think Watson is in any form to return. Had they opened his practice window, Browns analysts suggested that he might take over as the starter for Flacco, who is the 34th-best QB this season in PFSN’s QB Impact Score. Now, with Flacco getting benched and a Watson return seemingly not in the cards, Gabriel will get a chance to start (and Sanders could also eventually get an opportunity as well).