Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has faced a variety of quarterbacks from the Browns. However, Sunday marks a milestone for him, as he will face a left-handed quarterback from Cleveland for the very first time.
Cleveland will start rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, and Tomlin had plenty of praise to share about the young lefty during Tuesday’s media availability.
“This guy has thrown around the football a lot,” Tomlin said, via Cleveland Browns On SI. “He’s older, more experienced than most rookies. I think timely processing is his superpower, and I think his experience and that superpower have been on display.”
Gabriel stepped onto the field for his first NFL start this past Sunday and came up just short, losing 21-17 to the Minnesota Vikings. He connected on 19 of 33 passes in the game, accumulating 190 yards and throwing two touchdowns.
The 24-year-old quarterback isn’t your typical rookie. Gabriel started 64 games in college, with 38 starts coming at elite programs like Oklahoma and Oregon.
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Pittsburgh has collected an impressive 26-6 record against rookie quarterbacks under Tomlin (h/t Steelers Now). However, the Steelers need to tread carefully this Sunday when facing Gabriel, as there isn’t much footage of him at the NFL level. He possesses the potential to deliver a breakout performance, much like he did numerous times in college.
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