Browns noncommittal on Shedeur as backup QB after Flacco trade

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski didn't confirm whether Shedeur Sanders will serve as the team's backup quarterback in the aftermath of Joe Flacco being traded to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Flacco started the season as the Browns' QB1 but lost the role to rookie Dillon Gabriel last week. Flacco was Gabriel's immediate backup against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, while Sanders once again served as the emergency third-string passer.

Following the Flacco trade Tuesday, many expected Sanders to move up the depth chart as the only other signal-caller on the club's active roster. The Browns also have Bailey Zappe on their practice squad.

"All roster type of things, I always have to be mindful of our players and our players' development," Stefanski said Wednesday when asked about Cleveland's QB2 role, according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. "And I want to make sure that I'm always doing what's best for our players and, of course, our team.

"But with young players, I'm always thinking about - last week, making the change to Dillon, you have to think long and hard about that because these are young players that you are so invested in their development. So, I'll let the decision play out (and) make a decision later."

The Browns drafted Gabriel during the third round in April before taking Sanders in Round 5. Sanders entered the 2025 draft as one of the top QB prospects but shockingly fell to pick No. 144. He has yet to attempt a regular-season pass in the league.