Browns’ Stefanski unsure of Gabriel’s backup against the Steelers
Goforitradio Staff
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On Tuesday, the Cleveland Browns sent quarterback Joe Flacco and a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals for a 2025 fifth-round pick.
The 40-year-old Flacco started the first four games for the Browns this season. He completed 93 of 160 passes for 815 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions. The 18-year veteran will now become the starter for the Bengals, replacing the ineffective Jake Browning.
With Flacco gone, it appears that rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will be the backup to Dillon Gabriel when the Browns travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers, but that might not be the case.
“Well, first I’d tell you is the Joe (Flacco) trade took us by surprise,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday. “That was not something that we saw coming. You know, they called us, and it happened very fast, and happened not too long ago. So, still working through all roster types of things. I always have to be mindful of our players and our players’ development, and I want to make sure that I’m always doing what’s best for our players and, of course, our team. But with young players, I’m always thinking about last week, making the change to Dillon (Gabriel). You have to think long and hard about that, because these are young players that you’re so invested in their development. So, I’ll let the week play out and make a decision later on.”
If they don’t go with Sanders, Cleveland could go with the 26-year-old Bailey Zappe, who is currently on the team’s practice squad. Last season, the third-year quarterback started the season finale for the Browns.
Stefanski was asked what he would need to see from Sanders to make him the number two quarterback, and according to Stefanski, he will do what’s best for the team.
“Again, I wouldn’t say there’s one thing you need to see,” he said. “In my role, I have to do what’s best for our players, our team, and I’m very, very invested in our player development, our young players’ development, our quarterback development. So, any decision I make, I want to just make sure that I’m doing what’s right for our players.”
It should be interesting to see what Stefanski does with Sanders. If he remains the third quarterback, it’s clear that Stefanski does not believe Sanders is ready at this time, which might not be a bad thing. However, if Gabriel struggles, we’ll see Sanders on the field at some point in 2025.
