The Cleveland Browns made an important decision regarding quarterback Shedeur Sanders ahead of the team’s Week 6 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Browns QB Decision: Shedeur Sanders
LIVE: HC Kevin Stefanski speaks to the media after practice https://t.co/dPo7Z0uZUq
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 10, 2025
Sanders is climbing the depth chart.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Sanders will back up Dillon Gabriel on Sunday against the Steelers.
“I’m always thinking about our players and what’s best for our players,” Stefanski said at the team’s Friday press conference. “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 our guys.”
The move comes days after the Browns traded quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick. Flacco started the first four games of the Browns’ season, going 1-3.
Stefanski benched Flacco for Gabriel in Week 5’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London. Flacco was the backup quarterback during the Vikings’ loss.
With Flacco in Cincinnati, Gabriel and Sanders are the only other quarterbacks on the active 53-man roster. The Browns also have practice squad quarterback Bailey Zappe.
Browns’ Offense Continues to Struggle
Some #Browns Shedeur Sanders clips from the locker room today: pic.twitter.com/9ZWVCerw6X
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) October 9, 2025
In his first career start, Gabriel completed 19 of 33 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns in the 21-17 loss to the Vikings. Cleveland is the only team in the NFL that hasn’t scored over 18 points in a game this season.
The Browns are 27th in total yards (288.2 per game), 25th in rushing (95.8 yards per game), and 32nd in scoring (14.6 points per game).
With Flacco off the roster, Cleveland is turning to its two rookies to quarterback the team the rest of the way.
With Sanders as the backup, he is now only one play away from entering the game. The fifth-round pick is ready to support Gabriel until his number is called.
“We’re going to make sure we do everything we can to make sure Dillon’s ready for the game,” Sanders said via Mary Kay Cabot. “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.”
The Browns (1-4) face the first-place Steelers (3-1) in Pittsburgh on Sunday.
