Cleveland Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders finally gets the chance to move up the team’s depth chart for Cleveland’s road game this Sunday against divisional rival the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has chosen to elevate the fifth round pick out of Colorado to the backup spot at quarterback, after Sanders had previously served a role as the side’s emergency and third string QB which has seen him be inactive for every game so far this NFL season.
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Stefanski spoke about keeping the best interest of players in mind when deciding to give Sanders the nod to be QB2 over practice squad quarterback Bailey Zappe.
“I’m always thinking about our players and what’s best for our players,” Stefanski said after practice on Friday as per NFL.com.
“And I want to make sure when it comes to young football players, particularly at the quarterback position, that you are intentional about your decision-making and that’s really all it is. So excited for all of our guys.”
This opportunity for Sanders comes after veteran Joe Flacco, who had been Cleveland’s starter for the first four games this year, was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals earlier this week.
Sep 28, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) looks on from he sidelines during the second half against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
The former Buffaloes star, and son of Colorado head coach and NFL legend Deion Sanders, will now back up third round pick and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, who took over the Browns starting job in last week’s loss to the Vikings in London.
After being selected by Cleveland with the 144th pick, Sanders sliding all the way down to the fifth round was one of the biggest storylines to come out of this year’s NFL Draft.
But now, Shedeur is a step closer to finally taking his first snap in the NFL and potentially proving that he does indeed belong in this league.
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