Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (11.12.25)
Dillon, when you look back at that game with the way that you guys went down field on the field goal drive before, you were kind of finding some rhythm there, do you feel like you really would have been able to do something in that two minute drive had you gotten a chance?
“You’d like to think so, but we don’t live in that world ever.”
Have you identified things that you can lean on and then maybe points of emphasis that you want to work on specifically as you gear up for this next one?
“Yeah, I don’t think growth is ever linear, and there’s regression and there’s progression. So there’s things that get better and things we’ve got to continue to work on, but I want to continue to get better. And that’s what you strive for every single day.”
Where did you learn more: from watching a film of the Browns, Ravens earlier this year or watching their last couple games with the way they’re playing now?
“Probably a trick question. Both, honestly. You know, you’re going to take a look at that, but you’re also going to look at what they’re doing as of recently.”
Hey Dillon, I know what the completion percentage is, but how would you assess how your accuracy has been through these five starts?
“You know, it’s always something you continue to work on and want to get good at, and I think it’s striving for every inch, you know, and being able to catch runners and allow them to get more receiving yards after the catch. So being accurate in that way and then giving guys a chance. So it’s something that you want to pride yourself on, continue to get better at.”
Was there a throw or two against the Jets you point to and go “God, I really wanted those two back”?
“It’ll always be like that.”
You ran with the ball a little bit more. Was it out of just necessity or do you find that now an enlarged part of your game, going forward?
“I think it’s always a part of your game, but I think it’s still finding solutions and ways to win. Obviously we didn’t do that, but you know, whatever is necessary. It could be an outside receiver day, it could be a tight end day, it could be a running day. And I think the more versatile you are and finding ways to win, the better your team is.”
Did you say it was a point of emphasis to maybe get you out the pocket and roll you out more against the Jets? Regardless, how do you think that kind of helped?
“I don’t think necessarily myself, but I think just as a whole, we want to be versatile like we said. And I think anytime you can move the launch point, it helps a lot of people and makes it more versatile. So we definitely want to continue to grow in that way.”
To clarify my question, it was about you actually running with the ball, not the team. Is that the way you took that question?
“Yeah, I was saying more so, like being able to be versatile and find different ways to win, meaning if there’s a way we got to move the pocket and maybe that’s more advantageous in this week versus another, being able to do it whenever you want.”
Didn’t look like any of those were designed runs, though.
“You’re saying moving, like getting out of the pocket and scrambling…”
They were mostly just keepers of a necessity.
“I would just say if you’re talking about scrambles, moving when necessary and knowing when to and then trying to pick up as much as you can.”
Dillon, when you’re going back and like, you see those throws that you normally make or you want to make, right. Is it a mechanic thing? What’s happening on some of those throws when you know, assess the misses? Is it because of your mechanics are off.
“Not overthinking it, but you just miss. You know, sometimes you miss and you want to eliminate as many as you can. And definitely when you know you lose, it’s magnifying. And I think you’re always going to continue to work on that and that’s something you want to pride yourself on – which is making the throws.”
What do you see when you see that Ravens defense?
“Oh they’re talented at all levels, play really good as a unit, communicate really effectively. Yeah, we have our hands full.”
If there’s one thing you could say that Tommy Rees brought to the game Sunday, what would it be that was different either in the process or in the end result?
“I think just the communication, the flow, confidence within the plays. And that’s just not saying of what it was last or prior. It’s just what he brings.”
Considering that was your first game together, you and Tommy, with him as the play caller, are you guys, you know, pretty excited about some of the things that you saw that you can build on? And do you think it can be exponentially better in week two just based on the fact that was your first time together and now you kind of know a lot more about each other?
“Yeah. Want to and have to, honestly.”
And what are some of the things that you’re excited about that happened in that game that you guys felt like you kind of were on the same page about?
“Yeah, excited about the positives, efficiency and always room for growth.”
There was a point in the game where you were actually on the telephone. What was that all about?
“It’s just the communication from, you know, player to coach.”
Did the regular system go out or something?
“I think it’s always been a telephone, but I don’t want to… if you may have seen different, it still is the communications on the sideline to box.”
Were you talking to Rees?
“Yes.”
Dillon, I know you were able to get Jerry (Jeudy) some movement earlier in this game, get him involved early. Like, how important was that? To get him in a rhythm and a flow.
“It’s huge. You know, you want to give your best players the ball. I say that a lot. But then when you’re able to do it, you see what happens. We want to do that more consistently and create more completions when they’re there. And now you see what Jerry can do.”
I know Kevin (Stefanski) said it was a good call by the Jets, but when you look back at that fourth and one in the fourth quarter, what went wrong? And, in hindsight, would you have done anything different?
“I think in hindsight, you’d always want to think differently. And I think just with the pressure that was there and playing hot to your face. Wanted to stay there, but had a moment of trying to go get it and get vertical because it was fourth and one. But, you know, obviously you’d love to get it to somebody and get the ball in play.”
From a protection standpoint, that was the second time that you were sacked six times in a game, and obviously that can’t, that’s unsustainable. What do you feel like you can personally do to make sure you’re not getting sacked six times? And then as a protection scheme, as a unit, do you feel really confident after watching the film that you guys can shore that up for this?
“Yeah. Confidence never changes or waivers and we want to eliminate negative plays.”
Did you have to move the ball quicker or anything like that?
‘You’d like to think so. And you just want to eliminate negative plays, however that may be.”
Dillon, off of that, and kind of the speed. They always talk about the speed of the game and how fast it’s moving for a quarterback, especially a rookie one. Is it slowing down at all for you in terms of what you’re seeing in front of you, as the player and plays developing in terms of the defense and everything like that.
“I think slowing down is a myth just because everyone’s pretty quick and athletic. I think it’s more so how decisive you are, and the more decisive you can be consistently, that’s where I think you’re a lot more efficient and it looks like you’re flowing and sustaining drives a little more. So, I would just say I’m continuing to grow and be more decisive.”
Both of your touchdowns against the Jets started from underside. A couple, one or two against Minnesota – that way. Would you say you’re feeling more comfortable with that in your game since you came to the Browns?
“I think it’s a combination, right. I think in gun, you’re able to do different things under center and vice versa. But, you know, I think anytime you can utilize under center, play action, run fakes, the sell is a lot better. That’s universal. And I think anytime you can balance the two honestly, it can help you long term.”
Penalties have been a big issue these past few games. For you, on the offensive side of the ball, as the offensive leader, how do you hold guys accountable for those mistakes?
“It’s how you practice, you get what you emphasize, and you definitely want to eliminate negatives. That’s something that’s a drive killer, right? But, you know, I just feel like at times we all take our turns, whether it’s not even a penalty, but me missing a throw, a penalty here or there, or maybe a negative play, that all just makes it more difficult. And then, on the same note, you live on the other side, explosive plays, chunks, you’re not living in third down a bunch, you’re sustaining drives. It just looks a whole lot different. But I think what we see, what everyone sees, is there’s inefficiencies at times, and maybe the nine play touchdown drive versus a three out – and how do we kind of find the middle ground and continue to prolong drive, sustain them, go put points on board.”
Dillon, how different is their defense with (Kyle) Hamilton kind of playing a different role and how much do you have to be aware of him?
“Yeah, I’m glad you noticed. He’s a great player, and I think they use him a bunch in different ways and he’s versatile, which you can all see. But, that’s the challenging part and that’s also the exciting part – to go out, go work through that and find answers to that. So, they do a really good job all three levels, like I said, and you can see him on all three levels.”