MN Vikings to See New Quarterback Under Center in London

The Minnesota Vikings are coming off a tough performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin. It was an ugly game, and the 24-21 final score was not reflective of how out of reach the game felt.

Now, staying across the pond for a second-straight week, they are set to face the Cleveland Browns in London. Minnesota desperately needs a win heading into the bye week, and doing so will involve beating rookie starter Dillon Gabriel.

Dillon Gabriel preparing as starter for Cleveland Browns

Last week it was a future Hall of Famer in the form of Aaron Rodgers under center. This week it looks as though the Browns will make a change and bring Dillon Gabriel off the bench for his NFL debut.

The current belief is that the #Browns are going to make a change at quarterback and start rookie Dillon Gabriel this week vs. the Vikings, sources tell @CBSSports pic.twitter.com/UKvkzazXWw

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) September 30, 2025

18-year veteran Joe Flacco has started the first four games for Kevin Stefanki’s squad this season. He owns just a 1-3 record while completing 58.1% of his passes. He also has just two touchdowns and an ugly six interceptions.

Cleveland took Gabriel in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Oregon. He was a Heisman finalist for the Ducks and his 155 career passing touchdowns are an all-time FBS record. Gabriel won the backup job during the preseason and has been lurking as Flacco’s struggles continue.

Joe Flacco will serve as the team’s backup. If he is eventually made inactive, then Gabriel’s backup would be prolific personality Sheduer Sanders. The Browns drafted Sanders in the fifth round out of Colorado. Many experts projected him as the top overall pick.

first NFL TD for Dillon and Dylan#CLEvsBAL on CBS & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/FZ9qny1YLq

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 14, 2025

Gabriel under center will present a different gameplan for the Vikings defense. While he is not just a running quarterback, his athleticism is substantially more significant than that of Flacco. With Andrew Van Ginkel already ruled out, the pass rush will need to contain him within the pocket.

Minnesota is hoping to have J.J. McCarthy running some portions of practice later this week. If he is able, he can look to simulate some of those sorts of movements.

The Vikings kick off against the Browns from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at 8:30 am central time. They beat the New York Jets last season in the same venue.