Dan Lanning reacts to Dillon Gabriel becoming Browns starting QB

On Wednesday, the Cleveland Browns announced rookie Dillon Gabriel as their starting quarterback ahead of Week 5. Gabriel, who spent his final college season at Oregon, was the team’s fourth-round draft choice in April.

His head coach with the Ducks, Dan Lanning, reacted to the news during his weekly press conference on Wednesday. It’s safe to say he knows what the young NFL QB is capable of.

“I’m excited for Dillon,” Lanning said. “He’s a guy that works extremely hard, and I know he won’t take it for granted. He still has done an unbelievable job of staying connected with our players here. Pretty awesome for a guy that’s moved on in the next phase of his life, that still touches base with our team.

“But I’m excited for him, excited for his opportunity. I know he’ll make the absolute best of it.”

Gabriel will step in for Joe Flacco, 40, who has struggled to begin the season. In three games, he’s thrown six interceptions compared to two touchdowns. Cleveland is currently 1-3 to begin the season after losing to the Detroit Lions 34-10 on the road.

Starting in Week 5 didn’t always look like a reality for Gabriel. After the draft was over, Cleveland had one of the most crowded QB rooms in the league. When Gabriel arrived in Cleveland after the draft, Kenny Pickett was still on the roster. Deshaun Watson is still around but on the PUP list, but isn’t playing. Not to mention the team also drafted Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round.

Training camp would finish with Flacco taking the starting job, Gabriel at second-string and Sanders behind him. Now, Gabriel and Flacco have swapped spots in the depth chart heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.

That matchup will be played in London, giving Gabriel’s first NFL start a unique atmosphere.

Still, Cleveland is known for making the wrong kind of history at the QB position. A revolving door of names have held that starting spot across the last two and a half decades. It’s already happened once with Gabriel’s nod over Flacco.

It remains to be seen if Sanders will get his shot this season. He was literally speechless when meeting with the media on Wednesday after learning of the change. His father, Deion Sanders has been vocal about his son’s potential opportunity to play during his rookie season.

For now, the keys to Cleveland’s offense are Gabriel’s. He’ll look to lead the Browns to victory against the Vikings, with kickoff slated for 9:30 a.m. ET.