Shedeur sees 'light at the end of the tunnel' after Browns trade Flacco
Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders hinted that Cleveland trading veteran Joe Flacco moves the rookie closer to seeing NFL action for the first time since being selected in the fifth round of the 2025 draft.
"I'm in a great mental space overall," Sanders told reporters Thursday, according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. "So I would say you tend to get a little bit more excited when you see a light at the end of the tunnel, for sure."
He added: "Whatever my role is here, I'm thankful. I'm happy just to do that."
Head coach Kevin Stefanski wouldn't commit to Sanders being Dillon Gabriel's backup Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sanders and Gabriel are the only quarterbacks on the roster after Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday. However, Bailey Zappe, who started the Browns' season finale last year, is on the practice squad and can be promoted to No. 2 signal-caller.
The 26-year-old Zappe threw for 170 yards and two interceptions in the 2024 Week 18 loss and has started nine games during his NFL career. He was signed to the practice squad in late August, a few days after the Browns traded Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Gabriel, 24, was selected in the third round of the 2025 draft and got his first career start last week in London versus the Minnesota Vikings. He completed 19 of 33 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns in the 21-17 defeat.
"We're going to make sure we do everything we can to make sure Dillon's ready for the game," Sanders added. "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."
Sanders has been the team's No. 3 emergency quarterback for every game this season.