Shedeur Sanders Promoted to Browns Backup QB Behind Dillon Gabriel vs. Steelers

[ad_1] Shedeur Sanders has waited patiently for his likelihood to play for Cleveland. He is actual shut.

Sanders will again up Dillon Gabriel on Sunday in Pittsburgh, which means the Browns, who have not received a regular-season recreation on their rival's house subject since 2003, will face the Steelers with two rookie quarterbacks.

Sanders has been Cleveland’s No. 3 emergency quarterback — and inactive on recreation days — for his first 5 video games because the Browns, who drafted the high-profile QB within the fifth spherical, slowly developed him. However they suppose he is now able to be their No. 2 regardless of not taking a snap in a regular-season recreation.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski had been noncommittal earlier this week about his plans for Sanders, saying he needed to see how issues "performed out." However following Friday’s apply, Stefanski mentioned he was selling Sanders to the backup spot.

"I’m at all times fascinated with our gamers and what’s greatest for our gamers," Stefanski mentioned, explaining the rationale for selecting Sanders. "And I need to make certain in the case of younger soccer gamers, significantly on the quarterback place, that you're intentional about your decision-making and that’s actually all it's. So excited for all of our guys."

Stefanski may have opted for Bailey Zappe, who's on Cleveland’s apply squad and began the Browns’ season finale in 2024.

Sanders' ascension comes within the aftermath of the Browns buying and selling Joe Flacco to Cincinnati this week. An 18-year veteran, Flacco began Cleveland's first 4 video games earlier than too many interceptions led to him being benched in favor of Gabriel.

A 3rd-round decide, Gabriel made his professional debut final week towards Minnesota in London and can make his second begin with Sanders behind him.

Earlier than this week, Sanders had been getting restricted apply reps and had cut up working with the scout staff, sharing snaps with Gabriel and Zappe.

Stefanski has been impressed with Sanders' progress and believes he is able to take one other step.

"The massive factor there may be all of us play our function all through the week and on Sunday, and clearly that backup quarterback function is a bit bit completely different," he mentioned. "We’re doing every little thing we are able to to assist the starter, after which you need to be prepared in a second’s discover. That’s simply the lifetime of backup gamers at each place.

"We’ve mentioned that right here over time on a regular basis, that you need to keep prepared so that you don’t need to prepare. However once more, that’s our job as coaches, as gamers to be prepared when referred to as upon."

On Thursday, Sanders mentioned he was enthusiastic about the potential for backing up Gabriel.

"I’m in a fantastic psychological area total," Sanders mentioned. "I'd say you are likely to get a bit bit extra excited whenever you see a lightweight on the finish of the tunnel, for certain. ... No matter my function is right here, I’m grateful. I’m blissful simply to try this."

Whereas Gabriel is at the moment the staff's No. 1 QB, the Browns are anticipated to provide Sanders an opportunity to begin in some unspecified time in the future this season. Cleveland has spent a long time in the hunt for a franchise QB and can discover each possibility.

The staff's resolution to commerce in 2022 for Deshaun Watson, signing him to a completely assured $230 million contract, backfired badly. Watson has made simply 19 begins as a result of accidents and an 11-game NFL suspension. He is nonetheless with the staff rehabbing a ruptured Achilles tendon and is unlikely to play in 2025.

In case Gabriel or Sanders do not work out, the Browns have two first-round picks in 2026 they might use to discover a quarterback.

Reporting by The Related Press.

Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports activities account, comply with leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a personalised publication day by day!