Browns rookie QB Dillon Gabriel already getting endorsement deals

The third-round pick is set to begin an intense QB battle

The entire NFL will be watching the Cleveland Browns this season. The reason? Their quarterback situation.

Not that anyone cares if veteran Joe Flacco wins the starting job or not. Or that Kenny Pickett, a former first-round draft pick who arrived in Cleveland via a trade, can beat Flacco out for the gig. Only Browns’ fans care about these two players.

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But the league as a whole wants to see the quarterback battle in training camp between the two rookie signal-callers: Dillon Gabriel from Oregon and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders.

Let’s clarify: With an emphasis on Sanders.

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College football players who have been projected to be drafted in the Top-5 do not drop to the fifth round. Ever. Maybe a round. Except for Sanders. And the fact that Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski chose Gabriel as his young QB project is compelling enough. The football universe wants to see how this movie ends before the opening credits begin.

Sanders has been labeled the future of the franchise. He has also been tabbed as trade bait. See the discrepancy? Sense the drama? And all the while, Gabriel is sandwiched in the middle of this Sanders sandwich.

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And while 99 out of 100 articles have been written about Sanders and his Cleveland experience, Gabriel has been fairly muted. Sanders has had sponsors before at Colorado because he was the BMOC (big man on campus) and drove fancy cars. He already has a Gatorade commercial since being drafted.

Now, Gabriel has his own endorsement deal. Not representing a Rolex GMT-Master wrist watch, or in the driver’s seat of a Rolls-Royce Hyperion. Or perhaps leaning against a Porsche 911 Turbo, truly a successful young man’s choice, who has money. Think more…..third row seating.

Stellantis North America, owner of the Chrysler Corporation, has hired Gabriel as their spokesperson for their flagship vehicle.

No, not Dodge Charger. Or the new Jeep Grand Wagoneer L Series III Obsidian, which starts at $112,540. Or even the most powerful production half-ton pickup truck on the market today, the Dodge Ram 1500 TRX, which has a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 engine that produces 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. Not to mention the beast that is named the Dodge Challenger Hellcat.

Nope. Think crossover.

Packing camping equipment. Taking the lacrosse team to get pizza after the game. Bringing the family dog along for, well, everything. Showing visiting relatives the local sights. Or loading up for a day at the beach.

Chrysler Pacifica.

Not a single man’s vehicle. Maybe not even an NFL player’s choice, although guys like Browns’ Hall of Famer Joe Thomas and his wife and four kids would all fit nicely inside.

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Then again, maybe it certainly is a Dillon Gabriel vehicle. After all, he proposed to his girlfriend Zo Caswell in early September of 2024 before his final year at Oregon.

The two met when he was 12 years old during a school orientation gardening session and have been dating seriously since high school. His parents are ethnic native Hawaiians, while Zo was born and raised in Hawai’i as well and comes from a mixed background, a Japanese father and an American mother.

If that isn’t a minivan couple, who is?

Why Chrysler? And more specifically, a friggin’ minivan?

Gabriel owned a white Pacifica with a black interior when he played for Oregon that seated seven. He was the task master on the team and frequently drove his teammates around, picking them up for practices and team meetings in order to get them there on time. It also gave him and his teammates an opportunity to hang out together in a small group instead of just one or two guys.

Now, Gabriel has signed an endorsement deal with Chrysler to become a brand ambassador for their famous, award-winning minivan. For soccer moms. The dad van. It is his first endorsement deal as a professional football player. The deal was facilitated by athlete marketplace Opendorse.

While at Oregon, Gabriel would often talk about his love for his minivan, even in interviews. That sparked interest at Chrysler once he became a third-round draft pick of the Browns.

Chris Feuell, Chrysler brand CEO, told Fox 8 TV:

“We’re thrilled that Dillon selected the Pacifica minivan as his personal vehicle. Dillon could drive pretty much whatever he wants, and we are honored that he chose the segment-leading Pacifica, which offers the safety, comfort and style he needs to travel with his teammates—and the opportunity to create lasting memories along the way. We’re proud to continue to support Dillon’s journey as he begins his NFL career and builds bonds with his fellow teammates.”

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Gabriel loved his minivan. And still does. He has said that a bunch of teammates riding to their favorite restaurant or to practice builds team spirit. The rookie quarterback, who is known for his humility and generosity, still seeks that connection among his new comrades.

Gabriel stated:

“I always like to joke around that I’m built for comfort. In addition, given insurance, cost and being able to have space for other people, I’ve always loved the minivan so I try to use it to my advantage. I think the cool part is, you know in high school you go on these trips together whether it’s in another state, on the plane, in the hotel, (it’s) things you remember for a lifetime.”

Chrysler began in 1925, meaning this is the company’s 100^th year of operation. The original Chrysler Corporation was founded by Walter Chrysler, who worked in the railroad industry before accepting a job at the Buick Motor Company as a production chief.

A special 2026 Pacifica 100^th Anniversary Edition model has been introduced to commemorate the anniversary, including new “Est. 1925” Chrysler wing badge decal, Luster Gray polished wheels, semi-gloss Granite Crystal fascia and grille trim, and semi-gloss Granite Crystal Chrysler wing grille badge.

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It also features the patented “Stow ‘n Go Seats” which the company invented that has been copied by just about every other car manufacturer. It is also available with all-wheel drive.

Keeping with the anniversary angle as an American car manufacturer, the only colors available for the Pacifica Anniversary model are Red Hot, Bright White, and Hydro Blue.

Gabriel continued:

“When things aren’t mandatory, having the car ride to go grab a bite to eat or even when you have the downtime retreat, we all kind of carpool because there’s a longer drive so with all of that, I think it just helps having a vehicle that can fit everyone.”

In college, Gabriel had a number of deals with Beats by Dre, Celsius, Great Clips, and Addition Financial.

The Browns open training camp for rookies on July 18, while the veterans report on July 22.