The trade rumors are swirling fast, and rookie Dillon Gabriel might be the surprise name on the move.
With Shedeur Sanders’ roster spot hanging by a thread and veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett also crowding the QB room, Cleveland’s summer just got a whole lot messier. After a 3-14 collapse in the 2024 season, the Browns clearly need a reset, and it looks like the quarterback room is ground zero.
In the 2025 NFL Draft, Cleveland shocked some fans by picking not one but two QBs: Dillon Gabriel in the third round and Shedeur Sanders in the fifth. The move raised eyebrows immediately. With Flacco and Pickett already on the roster, it was clear that something had to give, and now fans and insiders are bracing for the Browns to either release or trade someone before the season opener.
Football analyst and former NFL quarterback Kurt Benkert stirred the pot even more, dropping a juicy hint about a potential landing spot for Gabriel. According to him, the Miami Dolphins were eyeing Gabriel during the draft and planned to take him before Cleveland snagged him. And now, with Gabriel reportedly struggling at Browns workouts, Benkert believes he’s still a great fit for Miami.
“I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Dolphins trade for Browns QB Dillon Gabriel at the end of the preseason,” Benkert posted on X. “They liked him a ton and saw him as an incredible scheme fit with athletic upside… but then the Browns drafted him.”
The Dolphins had the 98th overall pick, which they ended up trading after Gabriel was taken by Cleveland. Miami eventually settled for Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers in the seventh round, but according to Benkert, that wasn’t their first choice. “Nothing against Ewers,” he added, “but it’s believed the preference was Gabriel earlier in the draft.”
Miami’s QB situation is also a little shaky. While Tua Tagovailoa is coming off a Pro Bowl season, his concussion history has the Dolphins seriously thinking about their depth. Having a backup with upside like Gabriel could be exactly what Miami is after.
However, things are far from simple in Cleveland. Despite Gabriel’s potential trade value, insiders believe the Browns might lean toward cutting a vet like Flacco or Pickett instead of parting with either rookie. That’s especially true for Sanders, who’s facing speculation over whether he’ll even survive final roster cuts.
The reality is Cleveland isn’t chasing a ring this season. After a dismal 3-14 run, they’re clearly in development mode, and that means keeping and grooming young talent might take priority over short-term experience.
Meanwhile, the Browns’ timeline for decisions is closing in fast. Mandatory minicamp ends this Thursday, and training camp kicks off in late July. That’s when final decisions will be made about who makes the 53-man roster. If Gabriel continues to underwhelm, don’t be surprised if Cleveland shops him around.
All eyes are now on how this QB battle shakes out. Will the Browns really give up on a third-round pick so soon? Will the Dolphins make a trade offer? And what happens to Shedeur Sanders if both rookies end up staying?
Whatever the decision, one thing’s for sure: the trade rumors are only heating up.
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