Cleveland Sits Joe Flacco for Gabriel as Sanders Awaits in the Background

First-year signal-caller Gabriel is set to make his first NFL start this weekend as the Cleveland Browns take on the Vikings in London.

The team made public on Wednesday that they are benching Flacco after his struggles directing the attack during the initial quartet of contests.

"Ever since [Gabriel] arrived, his dedication has been evident," commented head coach Stefanski. "His football IQ is impressive. His practice performance has been solid, and throughout the year he has been studying how to get yourself ready and understand the rhythm of an NFL schedule and what that looks like as a backup. Clearly, now feel like he is prepared as a starting quarterback."

The Browns are 1-3 and are second from the bottom in scoring this campaign, averaging 14 points per game. The team has scored 17 points or fewer in nine consecutive matches going back to last season.

Gabriel will be the fifth different starting QB in the team’s previous ten contests, joining Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Bailey Zappe and Flacco.

Speculation About Shedeur Sanders Persist

The switch to the rookie is sure to reignite discussion about whether Shedeur Sanders may eventually factor as the team’s primary quarterback. He has been the third option the first four weeks.

The young quarterback, the offspring of NFL legend Deion Sanders, generated huge amounts of attention when he fell to round five of the recent draft after widespread expectation he would go in the first two. He completed 17 of 29 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns in two preseason games.

The Rookie’s Journey and Preseason Showings

Gabriel was selected in the third round of April’s draft. He has taken the field in two games – the Baltimore game and the Detroit contest – and has gone 3-for-3 for 19 yards and one TD.

He was named the backup quarterback following camp after the team dealt Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders.

In exhibition play, Gabriel led the Browns to either a touchdown or field goal on five of his seven drives. He also directed a pair of two-minute, first-half drives against the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams.

In his pair of preseason games, the QB connected on 25 out of 37 throws for 272 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Factors Behind the Flacco Decision

The rationale is clear why the team made the change. Out of 33 passers who have thrown 56-plus passes, the veteran is ranked lowest with a 60.3 rating, has the second-lowest completion percentage (58.1 percent) and his six picks are second most.

The 18-year veteran went 16-for-34 for 184 yards, two picks and one fumble in last Sunday’s 34-10 loss to Detroit.

The team's attack is ranked 27th for total yardage (279.8 yards per game), 20th for passing (195 per game) and 30th in rushing (84.8 yards per game).