The Cleveland Browns are entering a pivotal offseason with quarterback uncertainty front and center, and Dillon Gabriel‘s place in the picture suddenly feels far less secure.

With Todd Monken now steering the organization’s football direction, Cleveland is reexamining its depth chart with an emphasis on simplicity, competition, and long-term upside, a process that could leave last year’s rookie on the outside looking in.

Gabriel arrived with intrigue after being drafted in the third round and was pressed into action for six starts during an uneven season. While the flashes were real, the results never fully stabilized.

As the Browns recalibrate under new leadership, league observers believe Monken wants a more clearly defined quarterback hierarchy rather than a crowded room of overlapping skill sets.

Bleacher Report‘s Alex Ballentine recently suggested Cleveland could ultimately part ways with Gabriel, noting that a post-June 1 release would provide modest cap relief while opening a roster spot.

“The franchise seems to be headed toward a split from the rookie who started six games this past season,” Ballentine wrote, pointing to a broader reshaping of the position.

Monken‘s history suggests he values decisiveness at quarterback. His most productive offenses have been built around players who fit his vision rather than developmental projects fighting for relevance.

That reality places pressure on Gabriel, whose rookie deal runs through 2028 but does not guarantee security.

Reporting from Zac Jackson of The Athletic indicates the Browns are preparing for a competition that may center on Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, with another addition expected via the draft or free agency.

In that scenario, Gabriel becomes the most expendable piece, not because of contract size, but because of fit.

Watson‘s enormous cap figure makes moving on impractical, and the organization remains committed to seeing whether he can rebound from injury. That commitment alone narrows the path for younger quarterbacks who do not clearly project as long-term starters.

Draft pressure and the shrinking window

Cleveland’s limited flexibility in free agency only intensifies the draft’s importance. Holding two first-round picks, including No. 24 overall, the Browns are expected to explore quarterback options that better align with Monken‘s preference for mobility and playmaking outside structure.

One name frequently mentioned is Ty Simpson, an athletic Alabama prospect whose upside has drawn interest from multiple teams. If Simpson is gone before Cleveland’s second pick, the Browns could be forced to pivot toward veterans or alternative developmental options.

ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler has also floated Malik Willis as a possible target, citing Monken‘s comfort working with dynamic quarterbacks.

“I expect the Browns to add there,” Fowler said, reinforcing the sense that the room will not look the same by training camp.

"I expect the Browns to add there, I think the shake up will be there regardless if it was Monken or someone else," – @JFowlerESPN on the Browns QB room.

Fowler lists Ty Simpson and Malik Willis as potential Browns QB options 👀 https://t.co/W5fb4hoOiD pic.twitter.com/Z3ev7h4d02

— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) January 28, 2026

What this means for Dillon Gabriel

For Gabriel, the coming months may determine whether Cleveland remains part of his future. His rookie season showed resilience and competitiveness, but it did not eliminate doubts about his ceiling in a system that demands quick processing and improvisational ability.

The Browns‘ decision will not be rushed, but the direction is clear.

Monken wants fewer questions and firmer answers at quarterback. Whether that vision includes Gabriel is now one of the quiet but defining subplots of Cleveland’s offseason.