Shedeur Sanders Backup Quarterback Cleveland Browns
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Shedeur Sanders appears to be next in line at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns behind Dillon Gabriel after Joe Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday. “Appears” is the key word.
There is a lot more to this situation than what meets the eye.
Both Bailey Zappe and Deshaun Watson are both on the roster. The Browns might decide to go with an NFL veteran at the backup spot over an untested rookie who will bring with him a media circus.
Shedeur Sanders was the emergency third-string quarterback.
If we are to look at this situation from a linear perspective, yes, Sanders is up next.
Joe Flacco began the 2025 NFL season as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. Dillon Gabriel was the backup quarterback. Sanders was the emergency third-string quarterback who could only play if both Flacco and Gabriel got injured.
Flacco was benched in favor of Gabriel for the London game last weekend. Sanders remained in his role.
And then Flacco was traded to Cincinnati on Tuesday.
Gabriel is already locked in as the starter. If we were to move three to two, Sanders takes Flacco’s spot. Deion Sanders is not concerning himself with that potential succession plan.
Coach Prime on the news the Browns traded away Joe Flacco:
“I don’t give a darn about the Browns, I care about the Colorado Buffaloes…
I do love me some Shedeur Sanders though, believe that. “ 😂 pic.twitter.com/M87pQfUrFB
— DNVR Buffs (@DNVR_Buffs) October 7, 2025
But it might not be that simple. There are two other quarterbacks on the roster!
Is Deshaun Watson nearing a return?
First and foremost, we must discuss Bailey Zappe.
The former fourth-round pick started eight games for the New England Patriots in 2022 and 2023. He also spent most of last season with the Browns after Watson tore his achilles and even started Week 18.
Zappe is currently on the practice squad in Cleveland. Kevin Stefanski might choose to go with the guy who essentially spent the last two years learning the system. To move Sanders to the backup spot would also create an even bigger headache in terms of optics. The calls for him to start would grow even louder as soon as Gabriel started to struggle.
And then there is the wild card.
Deshaun Watson was placed on the PUP list before the season. Stefanski said his rehab is coming along according to plan on Sept. 29.
“Deshaun’s doing a great job with his rehab and that’s really where his focus is,” the head coach said.
Cleveland is not going to open the practice window for Watson just yet but an injury of that kind typically takes about 12 months to fully heal. That would put his timeline for return around the end of the month.
There is a real chance that we see Watson start a game for the Browns this season. Or, at the very least, return as the backup.
Maybe Stefanski is going to give the backup job to Zappe as a stop gap until Watson is able to return. Maybe it will be Sanders. Only time will tell!