Quarterback Situation for the Cleveland Browns Remains Unclear
Kevin Stefanski has not yet made a decision on who will serve as the backup quarterback.
With Joe Flacco now with the Bengals and Dillon Gabriel taking the reins as the starting QB, the Browns’ head coach was rather non-committal when asked about whether Shedule Sanders or Bailey Zappe would step up as the second-string quarterback for the upcoming matchup against the Steelers.
“I always have to consider the players and their growth,” Stefanski remarked. “It’s important to prioritize both the players’ well-being and what’s best for the team.”
“But especially when it comes to younger players, I’m constantly thinking about their future. Last week, I made the call to switch out Dillon. These young athletes are working hard to improve, so I need to reflect a bit before reaching a conclusion. I’ll allow them to have a week of practice and then we’ll see.”
Zappe, a fourth-round pick in 2022, is currently on the practice squad but could be moved up to the active roster by Sunday due to Flacco’s departure.
In the meantime, Sanders will default to backing up Gabriel.
Sanders, who is about to make his first appearance in the NFL regular season, shared some thoughts on Flacco, the experienced quarterback who was released earlier this week.
“He’s definitely someone I’ve looked up to for guidance, and I really appreciate the support he’s given me while I’ve been in Cleveland,” Sanders stated. “Everybody has their own path, so I’m genuinely happy for him.”
Prior to Flacco’s trade, Sanders was listed as the third quarterback on the Browns’ depth chart as they aim for their second win this season.
According to Ian Rapaport from NFL Network, the reasoning behind not immediately promoting Sanders to backup is that the organization wants him to succeed on the field. They believe he needs a tailored game plan to thrive when he gets the opportunity to play.
Rapaport further noted that, at some point this season, Shedule Sanders will likely get his chance to shine, especially once he has a full week of practice and a game plan specifically designed for him.
