Sanders at No. 2 QB is a No-Brainer

BEREA, OHIO - JULY 30: Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during Cleveland Browns training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

There appears to be consternation in some corners — way, way too many corners, in my humble opinion — about Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski naming rookie Shedeur Sanders as the backup quarterback — the No. 2 guy — for Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh against the Steelers.

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What?! Are you kidding me?!

Why? Why, oh why?

The Browns are 1-4 this year and have dropped 20 of 24 games since the end of the 2023 season. They need to find a franchise quarterback in the worst way.

Considering all that, then, it makes perfect sense to put Sanders into the on-deck circle, so to speak. The Browns have to see what he can do. Who knows, perhaps he’ll end up being that guy. We’re never find out if he languishes on the third string.

Thank you, Kevin Stefanski.

But what took you so long?

Steve King

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Note: With Joe Flacco traded last week, the Cleveland Browns are left with two rookie quarterbacks — Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders — on the active roster heading into Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has yet to announce the depth chart, saying he wants to “do what’s right” for all players after evaluating practice this week.

Bailey Zappe, who started last year’s season finale for Cleveland, remains on the practice squad and would need to be signed to the active roster before Saturday to be eligible.

Sanders, who has served as the emergency No. 3 quarterback through the first five games, said Thursday he feels ready for a bigger role. “You tend to get more excited when you see a light at the end of the tunnel,” Sanders said. “I feel like now I’m ready — not saying I wasn’t ready before — but now I’m ready for whenever my opportunity is.”

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