After taking Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of April’s draft, the Cleveland Browns put the rookie quarterback at No. 4 on the depth chart behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and third-round pick Dillon Gabriel. The Browns traded Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders on Aug. 25. After starting in the first four games, Cleveland traded Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday.
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Dillon Gabriel is set to make his second start against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The Browns have not officially named Sanders as his backup.
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Still, Sanders appears hopeful that his time will soon come in Cleveland. Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Sanders told the media on Thursday that he is “excited” about his position on the Browns following the trade of Flacco.
“I’m in a great mental space overall,” Sanders said. “So 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.”
Sanders understands it is his role to help Gabriel until the Browns are ready to allow Sanders to start.
“We’re going to make sure we do everything we can to make sure Dillon’s ready for the game,” Sanders said. “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 plan to play Sanders at some point this season. However, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski wants Sanders to have a chance to play his best game when he does eventually get an opportunity. That could mean Cleveland doesn’t make him QB2 immediately after the Flacco trade, as Stefanski wants to come up with a game plan tailored to Sanders’ strengths.
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