Popular Vikings Narrative about QBs Is False
The Cleveland Browns named rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel their starter this week, prompting some to claim the youngster would carve up the Minnesota Vikings’ defense because that’s what relatively unknown new passers usually do to Minnesota.
When the Cleveland Browns named Dillon Gabriel their starting quarterback this week, a false talking point about the Minnesota Vikings circulated.
However, recent history suggests that the narrative is emphatically false, despite its widespread dissemination on the internet.
Struggling Versus Rookie Quarterbacks? Not the Vikings.
If so, one is channeling random memories and examples from a distant past.
Fans Falsely Believe the Vikings Struggle against Rookie QBs
ClevelandBrowns.com‘s Kelsey Russo broke the news Wednesday, “The Browns have a change at the quarterback position for Week 5, as rookie QB Dillon Gabriel has been named the starting quarterback. This is Gabriel’s first NFL start at quarterback after he was originally named the backup quarterback on Aug. 26.”
“Gabriel has seen game action in two regular season games, entering late in the fourth quarter during Week 2 against the Ravens and Week 4 against the Lions. He completed 3 of 3 passing attempts for 19 yards and one touchdown in Week 2, finding RB Dylan Sampson in the end zone each for their first career touchdowns. Gabriel then did not complete his lone passing attempt in Week 4 against the Lions.”
Interpreting the news in a negative light, a litany of Vikings fans on social media quickly expressed reservations about Minnesota facing a first-time starter and a rookie quarterback in general.
For example, VikeFans on X (formerly known as Twitter), an account with over 14,000 followers, tweeted, “Browns to start rookie QB Dillon Gabriel vs Minnesota. Based on Viking history, that can only mean a record setting day for the relatively unknown QB!”
The tweet insinuated that Minnesota has a documented history of problems with anonymous or rookie signal-callers.
In reality, the Vikings have won their last 11 games against teams led by rookie quarterbacks, a streak spanning eight years.
A Homage to Yesteryear
There was a time, albeit with isolated examples, when unsung rookie quarterbacks defeated the Vikings — it’s just that it wasn’t unusual per NFL norms.
For example, Jake Browning helped the Cincinnati Bengals down Minnesota in a 2023 game, though Browning wasn’t a rookie. In 2012, Green Bay Packers passer Scott Tolzien, a first-time starter, helped Green Bay engineer a tie against the Vikings.
In 2021 — almost 25 years ago — quarterbacks like Mike McMahon (Chicago Bears) and Chris Weinke (Carolina Panthers) got the best of Minnesota, leading their squads to wins.
As a recent problem, though, the purple team doesn’t struggle against rookie passers, especially anonymous ones. Kevin O’Connell has never lost a game to a rookie quarterback.
Recent History Much, Much Different
During the Mike Zimmer era — so, 2014 to 2021 — sometimes a backup quarterback, regardless of experience, would enter the lineup and help defeat the Vikings. Zimmer also had issues with mobile passers, such as Mitchell Trubisky.
But on the whole, on O’Connell’s watch, the Vikings have had their way with rookies.
Since very early in 2018, Minnesota has vanquished these rookie passers and the clubs they quarterbacked:
- Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears) — twice
- Aidan O’Connell (Las Vegas Raiders)
- Bryce Young (Carolina Panthers)
- Justin Fields (Chicago Bears)
- Skylar Thompson (Miami Dolphins)
- David Blough (Detroit Lions)
- Brandon Allen (Denver Broncos)
- Daniel Jones (New York Giants)
- Sam Darnold (New York Jets)
- Josh Rosen (Arizona Cardinals)
It’s worth noting that the Vikings beat these teams and quarterbacks successively — without losses. The opposition has lined them up, and Minnesota has mowed them down.
The Josh Allen Game as the Last Example
The last time Minnesota lost a game to a team with a rookie quarterback? Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in 2018.
Minnesota felt pretty damn fat and sassy that season after reaching the NFC Championship eight months prior, and the Bills entered U.S. Bank Stadium while embarrassing Mike Zimmer and friends, despite the Vikings’ overwhelming favorite status and point spread.
So, yes, on Josh Allen, there were signs.
But he’s the last example of a rookie quarterback beating the purple team. Eight years ago.
SI.com on Dillon Gabriel
Minnesota will face the aforementioned Gabriel this week, a 3rd-Rounder from April’s draft.
SI.com‘s Steve Kubitza wrote about Gabriel and the London showdown, “The bad news is that he is going up against a Brian Flores defense that will surely be out to confuse the rookie all game long. This defense just held the Pittsburgh Steelers to 313 total yards, albeit in a 24-21 loss in Week 4.”
“The Browns are masters at accomplishing rare NFL feats, and fans will now be able to add Gabriel’s name to the infamous quarterback jersey dating back to 1999. The hope is that he is the only name added to the list this year. An even bigger concern may be the fact the Browns don’t have a bye week following this international trip.”
Check any branch of social media, and for some reason, purple fans have a palpable fear of rookie quarterbacks. Even if it’s unfounded.
“They will return home and have to immediately prepare for a road game against a tough Pittsburgh Steelers team. So no matter how Gabriel plays, he has to get right back to work for a rivalry game before getting his first home start. Oh, and the Vikings have already been abroad for a week after their game against the Steelers in Dublin last Sunday,” Kubitza added.
“The Browns never get anything easy, but fans are hoping Gabriel will serve as a much-needed spark to an offense that has looked lifeless for much of the season up to this point.”
The Vikings are 12-5 (.705) all-time against the Browns.
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