NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
When Dillon Gabriel became the tab as the starting quarterback of Cleveland Browns ahead of week 5, Skrhedeur Sanders role remained unchanged as the third strict quarterback when Joe Flacco became backup.
But even with Flacco now at Cincinnati Bengals, it’s back to see if Sanders gets the promotion to be the backup.
Main coach Kevin Stefanski would not commit to Sanders being backup, with Bailey Zappe elevated to the training team that pulled IR from ESPN analyst Ryan Clark.
CLICK HERE for more sports cover at Foxnews.com
Ryan Clark said Cleveland Browns and Shedeur Sanders should “share ways” if he is not called backup -quarterback. (Getty Images)
“If [Sanders] is not named backup -quarterback, it’s time to share ways. It’s time to trade him, it’s time to get him out of your dressing room. Because your plan for development is not to develop Sheeteur Sanders as a future starting of your team and too much comes with him if you don’t see that kind of plan for him, “Clark said Thursday’s edition of” First Take. “
Flacco starts for Bengals this Sunday after Jake Browning lost each of his three starts in the wake of Joe Burrow’s injury.
“Well, first I wanted to tell you that the Joe trade surprised us,” Stefanski said Wednesday. “It wasn’t something we saw. You know they called us and it happened very quickly and happened not too long ago. So what was still working through all the guard types of things. I always have to pay attention to our players and our player’s development and I want to make sure I always do it best for our players and of course, our team.
Skyeseur Sanders from Cleveland Browns warms up before the game against Green Bay Packers at Huntington Bank Field on September 21, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
ESPN PUNDITS, including Ryan Clark and Pat McAfee, sorry for claims about Kyren Lacy
“You have to think long and hard on it because these are young players that you are so invested in their development. So I will let the week play out and make a decision later.”
Stefanski referred to Zappe as “oldest statesman right now” considering his story of starting games to New England Patriots. He also mentioned that Deshaun Watson delivers some leadership despite being unable to play this season.
Last week, Stefanski went to get Gabriel, who were taken two rounds in front of Sanders back in April, got his first NFL start in London against the Minnesota Vikings. Gabriel threw two touchdowns in his first start, but the Vikings gathered late to beat Browns, 21-17, when Cleveland fell to 1-4.
Cleveland Browns Quarterback Shhedeur Sanders (12) looks at against Philadelphia Eagles during the game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 16, 2025. (KYLE ROSS/IMAGN -PICTURES)
Sanders himself has not vocally commented on getting stuck on the third string last week when he pantomimized when asked about it instead. However, he responded to the Flacco trade.
“I’m just fond of him,” Sanders said.
