Shedeur Sanders Steps Slides Into Backup Role Behind Dillon Gabriel

Shedeur Sanders, the rookie quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, has been appointed as the backup to Dillon Gabriel for their upcoming divisional encounter against the Pittsburgh Steelers, as revealed by Coach Kevin Stefanski on Friday. Initially, there was ambiguity regarding whether Sanders, a fifth-round selection, or practice squad quarterback Bailey Zappe would back Gabriel, a third-round pick, after the Browns traded Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals earlier in the week. Now, Sanders has been officially designated as the backup, having commenced his NFL career as Cleveland’s fourth-string quarterback.Coach Stefanski remarked, “I’m always thinking about our players and what’s best for our players,” emphasizing the necessity of thoughtful decision-making, particularly regarding young quarterbacks. Throughout the season’s first five games, Sanders has occupied the role of the third-string quarterback, remaining inactive on game days. Chosen as the 144th pick in the draft, Sanders secured a spot on the 53-man roster amid a fiercely competitive quarterback landscape.