Newly-minted Browns pass rusher Jared Verse wore the No. 8 with the Los Angeles Rams and surprised many by wearing the same number to his debut with the team earlier this week - a number also shared by quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
But amid speculation that Verse's choice of number is some sort of dig at Gabriel or a sign that Gabriel is on the verge of getting cut, it appears that the controversy has been (or will soon be) resolved.
Appearing on Good Morning Football, NFL insider Mike Garafolo said that there's no "standoff" between the two players and that the Browns are simply waiting on NFL approval to change Gabriel's jersey number.
"From @gmfb : The Jared Verse-Dillon Gabriel jersey situation apparently isn’t a standoff for No. 8. The #Browns are waiting for NFL approval for Gabriel to change his number," Garafolo shared on X later.
Still a slight?
NFL fans weren't convinced that this means that the jersey change isn't a sign that Gabriel could be on the outs with the organization:
"Yeah zero chance a 3rd string Qb wasn’t going to give his number up for a future captain and cornerstone player," one user remarked.
"As if that 3rd string QB ever had a chance to keep the number," wrote another.
"All numbers 0-19 are taken. The Browns could be asking the league if Dillion can wear a retired number (14) or if he can wear a number in the 20's," a third pointed out.
"He’s getting traded to ATL soon anyway."
"Dammit.... we wanted a stand off!"
© Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Dillon Gabriel has far bigger concerns than what his jersey number is going to be anyway.
As a rookie in 2025, he was inserted into the starting lineup midseason and went just 1-5 as a starter, completing 59.5-percent of his passes while throwing for 937 yards and seven touchdowns with two interceptions. He took sacks on nearly 10-percent of his dropbacks.
Between his struggles in 2025, Shedeur Sanders’ rise above him on the depth chart and the return to full health of Deshaun Watson, Gabriel will be lucky to even make the 53-man roster, let alone play for the Browns in 2026.
