Shedeur Sanders was elevated on the Cleveland Browns quarterback depth chart after veteran Joe Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals following his benching
18:15 ET, 11 Oct 2025Updated 18:15 ET, 11 Oct 2025
Shedeur Sanders is now the backup for the Browns behind starter Dillon Gabriel
View 2 Images
Shedeur Sanders is now the backup for the Browns behind starter Dillon Gabriel(Image: Getty Images)
Shedeur Sanders’ mom celebrated as her son moved one step closer to starting for the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns started 1-3 with Joe Flacco under center. While the defense fought to secure the hard-earned win over Green Bay, the offense had been dismal; Flacco failed to lead the Browns to more than 17 points in a game this season.
Article continues below
Cleveland decided to bench the veteran in favor of Dillon Gabriel, who impressed in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London. After the rookie threw for 190 yards and two touchdowns against Minnesota, the Browns decided to trade Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Article continues below
READ MORE: Browns head coach offers Shedeur Sanders explanation after welcome boostREAD MORE: Pittsburgh Steelers fans respond to Russell Wilson being booed off for New York Giants
The transaction came just days after the Browns turned to Gabriel, who recently responded to a strange interview by Sanders. But the move means Sanders has climbed the depth chart and will serve as Gabriel’s backup for the trip to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6 and beyond.
Upon hearing the news that Sanders has jumped from QB3 to QB2, his mom, Pilar, insisted the 23-year-old will soon be the leading man in Cleveland. On Friday, she uploaded a video of herself cooking in the kitchen when one of her followers asked if it was a celebratory meal.
“For Shedeur's yes,” she wrote back. “We know 2 has always been 1.”
She added: “The matrix will try and make you believe anything hahahaha - never fall for tall tales.”
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed the news on Friday, and Sanders was thrilled. He told reporters: “I’m in a great mental space overall. 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. ... Whatever my role is here, I’m thankful. I’m happy just to do that.”
Sign up to our NFL newsletter here
Joe Flacco mentored Shedeur Sanders during their time together on the Browns
View 2 Images
Joe Flacco mentored Shedeur Sanders during their time together on the Browns(Image: Getty Images)
In an interview with John Sabol of Fox 8 News, Sanders outlined how he encountered Flacco and how the veteran has helped him. He told Sabol: “He’s definitely somebody I leaned on for wisdom, and I feel like he helped me a lot.
“He helped me a lot while my time being here in Cleveland and his time being here in Cleveland. Everybody has their own destinies and have their own plans they have in life, so I’m just happy for him.”
Article continues below
Sanders acknowledged the veteran’s positive influence during their overlapping time in Cleveland. He revealed Flacco offered encouragement after the rookie’s difficult final preseason game.
“He’s definitely a person that adjusts to any situation he’s in,” Sanders added, reflecting on Flacco’s adaptability. “He’s an old man, so it’s funny though…I always bring the youngness out of him, and he always smiles [at the] funny things I do.”
The 1-4 Browns take on the 3-1 Steelers — fresh off a bye — at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 12.