Since QB Dillon Gabriel made his first NFL start in Week 5 against the Vikings, the Browns' offense has rallied around him.
Gabriel has thrown for 869 yards and seven touchdowns in seven games, starting with his first NFL action at the end of the Ravens game in Week 2. Gabriel will face Baltimore for second time in his career on Nov. 16 with another chance to develop.
"Dillon (Gabriel's) a young quarterback. It's only his first year and his sixth start in the league, there's a lot he still has to learn," WR Jerry Jeudy said. "As teammates, we have to have somebody to lean on and we're here for him for sure."
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said that with any young player, there is constant coaching and communication to help their development.
For Gabriel, that coaching and communication comes from Stefanski, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave. From when Gabriel was drafted in April to now, he has learned both on his own and from those around him on how to thrive as an NFL starting quarterback.
"You're teaching off of some mistakes on film, and you're also saying, 'Hey, this is really good, we're going to lean into this,'" Stefanski said. "So, that's a constant dialogue that you're having with Dillon, with Coach (Bill) Musgrave, with Coach (Tommy) Rees in terms of, 'Hey, this is exactly how it's done, this is where the read is.'"
Gabriel said he knows that improvement in the NFL isn't always upwards; instead, it's a process of constant adjustment and learning. While he has been coached by people like Rees or Musgrave who have helped him learn from his mistakes and lean on his strengths, each week brings new challenges and new factors he has to adjust to.
"I don't think growth is ever linear – there's regression and there's progression," Gabriel said. "So, there are things that get better and things we have to continue to work on. But I want to continue to get better and that's what you strive for every single day."
Gabriel has a new challenge facing Baltimore's defense in Week 11 with S Kyle Hamilton playing in the box. Hamilton's ability when playing in the box can affect both the run and the pass, allowing Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr to use him in a multitude of ways. Hamilton recorded six tackles and a tackle for loss against the Dolphins in Week 9 and two passes defensed and a quarterback hit in Week 10 against the Vikings.
Against the Jets, Gabriel used his legs to scramble on broken plays and ran for a career-high 54 yards on five runs. Hamilton has the ability to create those broken plays and then make the tackle if Gabriel tries to make a play himself.
"He's a really good player. He has played safety, he has played nickel, he has played their dime linebacker," Stefanski said of Hamilton. "He's really a player that has always had that versatility. Can show up anywhere, they can blitz him, he can play the deep half, he can cover tight ends. So, there's really a lot of versatility to what he does."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 11 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Defensive end K.J. Henry (90) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Safety Donovan McMillon (31) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Hoke during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Tight Ends Coach Christian Jones during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Defensive end Ochaun Mathis (97) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Defensive end K.J. Henry (90) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Tight ends Coach Christian Jones during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Director of Strength and Conditioning Larry Jackson during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Defensive end K.J. Henry (90) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Defensive end Ochaun Mathis (97) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Safety Donovan McMillon (31) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Linebacker Cameron McGrone (48) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Defensive end Ochaun Mathis (97) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Chad O'Shea during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Safety Donovan McMillon (31) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 12, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Safety Donovan McMillon (31) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
The linebackers during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2025.
Gabriel can rely on his pass catchers to help counter Hamilton and also take advantage of Baltimore's defense. The Ravens are ranked 27th in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game and have allowed 200 or more passing yards in all but one game this season. Baltimore has also only five interceptions this season, tied for 25th in the NFL in the stat. Gabriel has made good decisions with the football, throwing two interceptions on 174 passing attempts.
The Ravens' defense will be another test for Gabriel's development and poise. Baltimore's defense disrupted Cleveland in Week 2, forcing two turnovers that led to 14 points. Gabriel staying disciplined and keeping the offense unified can help him lead Cleveland to their first divisional win this season.
"They're talented at all levels, play really good as a unit, communicate really effectively," Gabriel said. "We have our hands full."
