Well, we can all just take a seat here for a much-needed break from all the Shedeur Sanders draft drama. The man is finally going to the NFL with the Cleveland Browns. The scenes from the Sanders gathering in Texas were filled with pure elation, as Shedeur and Shilo danced to the delight of each other. This is his moment, and he’s going to live it to the fullest. However, does this mean trouble is afoot for the former star QB of Oregon?
It was truly shocking to see Shedeur being selected after so many QBs. His turn came after Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, and Dillon Gabriel. The former Oregon QB was the 94th pick, much before Shedeur’s 144th. But now that they’re on the same team, things get a little complicated for Gabriel. Statistically, and even based on skill set, Gabriel has an upside. In his 6 seasons, the Oregon QB totaled 18,722 passing yards and 155 TDs. Sanders comes with 14,327 yards, 134 TDs, and a class-topping passing rate of 74% in his last season.
Why do you ask if there’s trouble? The College Transfer Portal account on X shared a hilarious joke, writing, “BREAKING: Cleveland Browns QB Dillon Gabriel has entered the transfer portal.” You know it, and we know it: there’s no such thing in the NFL. However, what makes things a little problematic for Gabriel is Sanders’ legacy. That Deion Sanders association will always tag along. Now that Gabriel and Shedeur are teammates, it’d be difficult for the former to truly stand out and make a name for himself.
BREAKING: Cleveland Browns QB Dillon Gabriel has entered the transfer portal @_dillongabriel_ pic.twitter.com/1lE9ghjTBd
— College Transfer Portal (@CollegeFBPortal) April 26, 2025
Gabriel’s rookie contract, however, will see some blows. His is currently valued at $6.23 million. According to NFL rules, those picked in the first round get a 4-year contract with with an option of a year’s worth of renewal. Round 2 and 3 picks are given 4- and 3-year contracts, respectively. That means Gabriel will have to stay here for now, at least for 3 years with that number. Surprisingly. Shedeur Sanders‘ rookie deal was projected to be a little over $5 million. Moreover, he was expected to make a whopping $6.5 million in college football per season now, if he returned after failing the draft.
But Gabriel was the QB who was picked first among the duo, after all, so the Browns must see more value in him. However, the online community is in splits with this hypothetical situation.
Fans are amused by the idea of Dillon Gabriel thinking of transferring
Most of us did a double-take when we read the tweet, for sure. Then, we pause and perform the necessary calculations. It was just some time ago that the Browns picked him, and he’s already leaving? Well, he really can’t. “lol that made me laugh out loud. Good one,” wrote one user. The account got us all there for a few seconds until we put two and two together.
“I wonder if they break down when they realize there isn’t a transfer portal in the NFL and your stuck,” wrote another one. While the transfer portal has allowed a lot of freedom for CFB players to do as they wish, it isn’t the case for the pros. Gabriel himself has entered the portal twice, jumping ship from UCF to Oklahoma, and then to Oregon. Another one also joined in saying, “Lord knows he doesn’t like competition. That’s why he’s been to sooo many places.” So, unlike his collegiate career, Gabriel doesn’t have the opportunity for a “fresh start.”
Just as much as people laughed at him as Sanders entered the mix, Gabriel’s supporters also started rooting for him. “Are the brown’s trying to have 10 quarterbacks … lol.. STUPID … ,” wrote a fan. With Sanders on board, the Browns have 5 QBs, making the QB room extremely crowded.
To get some proper playing time, both will have to fight each other out. Another wrote, “Why? Shedeur was drafted to be his backup.” The Browns are still holding on to injured Deshaun Watson for the starting QB role. Gabriel seems like a potential solution. But Shedeur will give him a close fight in taking up the QB1 spot if it does open. He will look to be further below the chart.
You’ve got to give it to the College Transfer Portal admin, who thought of highlighting the former Oregon QB’s worries. Having Shedeur Sanders on board was not going to be easy for any team. But now that he’s joined one that already has 4 QBs, we’d understand if Gabriel wanted out, even if he couldn’t.
The post Dillon Gabriel Becomes Laughing Stock as Browns’ Shedeur Sanders Announcement Leaves $6.23M QB in Limbo appeared first on EssentiallySports.