Overview: Browns lock in backup plan behind Dillon Gabriel
In a move that clarifies Cleveland Browns’ quarterback pecking order for a pivotal divisional road game, coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Friday that rookie Shedeur Sanders will serve as the backup to starter Dillon Gabriel against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The decision comes after weeks of speculation following Cleveland’s trade of Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals earlier in the week, which had left the quarterback room in flux.
Reasoning behind the decision
Stefanski indicated the team has been deliberate with its approach to the quarterback position, especially with a young signal-caller in Sanders who is yet to establish himself as an NFL regular. “I’m always thinking about our players and what’s best for our players,” Stefanski said. “And I want to make sure when it comes to young football players, particularly at the quarterback position, that you are intentional about your decision-making.”
Sanders, the son of Hall of Fame wide-ranging legend Deion Sanders, joined Cleveland as a fifth-round pick this year and has spent the first five games serving as the team’s No. 3 and emergency quarterback. He began his NFL tenure with limited summer reps due to a crowded quarterback room but ultimately made the 53-man roster after the Browns traded Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders and released Tyler Huntley. Through the season’s opening month, Sanders split scout team reps with Gabriel and Bailey Zappe.
What this means for the Browns’ game plan against Pittsburgh
With Sanders now the backup, the Browns are signaling that they want a prepared, athletically gifted quarterback ready to step in if needed. Stefanski stressed that backup duties require a different mindset—“ready in a moment’s notice,” and always supporting the starter. The veteran coach reiterated the maxim of pro football that backup players must stay ready so they don’t have to get ready when called upon.
Sanders himself addressed the media with a blend of gratitude and confidence. He noted a “light at the end of the tunnel” as he continues to climb toward the role the team envisions for him. “Whatever that means. Each and every day, even when Joe was the starter, preparing the right way and be ready to know that you could get out there at any point in time. I’m overly confident within myself. I know when I first got here, I’m ready to play, but it’s up to the coaches, and whatever decision they make then, I’m fine with.”
Season context: how Sanders’ role has evolved
Sanders entered the league as Cleveland’s No. 4 quarterback and has become a symbol of the Browns’ longer-term development plan at the position. His path—from inactive on game days to a designated backup—reflects the organization’s patient approach to grooming a young quarterback behind a proven starter. The Steelers game represents a meaningful test: a divisional environment with pressure and a defense that has provided frequent challenges to visiting teams in recent seasons.
Team expectations and what fans should watch
Fans should watch for how the Browns balance risk and development in game-day coaching decisions. The backup role, while not glamorous, is crucial for ensuring Gabriel can operate with confidence, knowing there is a prepared companion on the sideline. If Sanders is called upon, Cleveland will be relying on a well-coached, motivated young quarterback who has spent weeks learning the playbook, building rhythm with skill players, and absorbing the Browns’ offensive system.
Closing thoughts from the Browns’ camp
Stefanski’s emphasis on intention and readiness underscores a broader truth in the NFL: the quarterback room is a small ecosystem where development and performance intersect. Sanders’ elevation to backup is less a departure and more a deliberate alignment with the franchise’s longer-term plan. For now, Cleveland will carry the confidence that their young quarterback can contribute when needed, while Gabriel continues to drive the offense with a steady hand and clear purpose.
