Shedeur Sanders Named Browns Backup QB Ahead of Steelers Clash
The Cleveland Browns have designated Shedeur Sanders as the club’s backup quarterback for Sunday’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The move comes after the team traded veteran Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals earlier in the week, elevating Sanders behind starter Dillon Gabriel on the 53-man roster.
How the Situation Unfolded
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Friday that Sanders will serve as the No. 2 quarterback for the Week 6 game on the road against division rival Pittsburgh. The decision reflects a cautious approach to roster management while evaluating the team’s long-term options at the position. Stefanski indicated the decision was made with the best interests of the players and the club in mind, noting the importance of careful, deliberate choices rather than rushing into a quarterback change.
With Sanders as the lone other QB on the 53-man roster aside from Gabriel, the Browns could consider adding practice squad quarterback Bailey Zappe to provide an emergency third option. The potential signing would provide Cleveland with added depth should an injury or underperformance force Gabriel or Sanders off the field.
Who Is Playing Now
Gabriel, a third-round pick in this year’s draft, has been Cleveland’s current starter. In last week’s game, he completed 19 of 33 passes for 190 yards and threw two touchdowns in a loss. Through three appearances this season, Gabriel has completed 59.5% of his passes for 209 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, illustrating a budding, though still evolving, command of the Browns’ offense.
Sanders was selected 144th overall in the fifth round of this year’s draft as the Browns looked to add future depth at quarterback. While the rookie’s immediate role is limited, the backing role behind Gabriel could offer him valuable development time and potential future opportunities should the rookie prove ready to take the reins.
What This Means for Cleveland’s 2025 Outlook
For now, the Browns are focusing on a Week 6 challenge with their AFC North rivals. The framing of Sanders as the backup keeps the team aligned with a measured plan for development and competition within the quarterback room. The organization’s early roster moves suggest a willingness to play the long game at the position, recognizing that quarterback development often plays out over multiple seasons rather than a single game.
Gabriel’s performance this season, combined with Sanders’ potential, could set the stage for a quarterback development trajectory that includes possible starts in 2025, depending on how the 2024 season unfolds and the team’s draft or free-agent plans. For now, Sanders will be ready to step in as needed, giving Cleveland a prepared option should the situation require it during Sunday’s trip to face the Steelers.
What to Watch For
Key questions in the coming days include how Sanders progresses through practice while serving as the backup, how the Browns manage game-day emergency situations with a possible third QB, and how the dynamic between Gabriel and Sanders evolves as the season continues. Coaches and players alike will be watching for growth moments that can inform the team’s approach to the quarterback position in 2025.
In the immediate term, Cleveland’s Week 6 game against Pittsburgh stands as a proving ground for the entire Browns quarterback room. The organization’s approach signals a blend of development-focused strategy and competitive readiness, with Sanders prepared to step in if circumstances demand it.
