Shedur Sanders has officially received a promotion.
This rookie will be backing up Dillon Gabriel and will hold the position of the Browns’ No. 2 quarterback during their upcoming road game against the Steelers, as announced by head coach Kevin Stefanski on Friday.
Stefanski initially hesitated in naming Sanders as the backup due to uncertainty surrounding practice squad QB Bailey Zappe’s potential promotion after veteran Joe Flacco was traded to the Bengals earlier in the week.
“Shedur will be the backup,” Stefanski told reporters. “I’m always considering what’s best for our players. With young quarterbacks, I think we need to be careful about our choices. That’s really the main point. I’m excited for all of them.”
This is going to be a learning curve for Sanders, who started training camp as the fourth-string quarterback.
“What matters is that we all play our roles throughout the week and on Sunday,” Stefanski added. “A backup QB’s job is different; you do all you can to support the starter, but you also have to be prepared to jump in at any time. That’s just how it is for backups in any position. We’ve always said you need to be ready before you actually have to be ready. It’s really our responsibility as coaches and players to be on standby when needed.”
Sanders, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado coach Deion Sanders, faced limited opportunities and a crowded quarterback situation over the summer but managed to secure a spot on the 53-man roster after the Browns released Tyler Huntley and Kenny Pickett was traded to the Raiders.
Flacco, who started the first four games for the Browns with a 1-3 record, has been replaced by Gabriel, who will make his second start this Sunday.
Following the Flacco trade, Sanders expressed his readiness to take on any role within the team. “I’m prepared to play,” he said, “and I’m ready for whatever the coaches decide.”
