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With Joe Flacco traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, it seemed obvious that the Cleveland Browns would move Shedeur Sanders up the depth chart to back up Dillon Gabriel at quarterback heading into Week 6.
That was until head coach Kevin Stefanski refused to confirm it Wednesday during his press conference.
Stefanski was asked if Sanders would be his “number two” behind Gabriel ahead of their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) at the line of scrimmage in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. (Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)
“Well, I will tell you first that the Joe trade took us by surprise,” Stefanski began. “It’s not something we saw coming. You know, they called us, and it happened very quickly, and it happened not too long ago. So, I’m always working on all types of things. I always have to be attentive to our players and their development and I want to make sure that I’m always doing what’s best for our players and, of course, for our team. But with the young players, I always think about last week, making the change to Dillon (Gabriel).
“You have to think long and hard about it because these are young players that you are so invested in their development. So I’m going to let the week play out and make a decision later.”
BROWNS’ SHEDEUR SANDERS REACTS TO JOE FLACCO TRADE: ‘I’M JUST HAPPY FOR HIM’
So there’s still a chance Sanders could be promoted to backup quarterback. But the Browns also have practice squad quarterback Bailey Zappe on their depth chart. Based on Stefanski’s response, Zappe could also be considered for the backup role.
Stefanski called Zappe “the elder statesman around” given his history of starting for the New England Patriots. He also mentioned that Deshaun Watson was also showing leadership even though he couldn’t play this season.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) tackles the Philadelphia Eagles during the game at Lincoln Financial Field. (Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)
Stefanski made the decision last week to allow Gabriel, who was two rounds ahead of Sanders in April, to make his first NFL start in London against the Minnesota Vikings. Flacco had thrown two touchdowns and six interceptions in four games as Cleveland went 1-3 during that span, leading to a quarterback change.
Gabriel threw two touchdowns in his first start, but the Vikings rallied late to beat the Browns, 21-17, as Cleveland fell to 1-4. But, even with his bench, Flacco was the backup in the London game while Sanders remained the third-string quarterback on the depth chart.
Stefanski, however, said he is happy with his young signal-callers and how they are improving.
“This is not a group that needs to be encouraged to do more, whether in the weight room, in the meeting room, on the field,” he explained. “We’re really pushing these guys to get better, and I see it in Shedeur, I see it in all these young guys, which is the fun part for us as coaches – seeing a lot of the work that you put in manifests and how these guys perform.”
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski looks on during warmups before an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Sanders himself did not vocally comment on being stuck at the top rope last week, as he mimed when asked about it. He did, however, react to the Flacco trade.
“I’m just happy for him,” Sanders said.
