With Joe Flacco now playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is facing a choice concerning his team’s roster arrangement. Will Shedeur Sanders take on the secondary quarterback duties, supporting fellow newcomer Dillon Gabriel, or will Bailey Zappe secure the number two position, having been promoted from the practice squad?
“I’m going to allow the week to unfold and then make my determination at a later point,” Stefanski stated on Wednesday.
When directly questioned regarding the possibility of elevating Sanders to the second spot on the depth chart, Stefanski acknowledged that he was still evaluating the situation, as the Flacco transaction had caught him off guard. The Browns’ coach also noted that he needs to consider the future growth of Sanders, along with other players, when making adjustments to the roster.
“I’m always thinking about our players and their development,” Stefanski explained. “I want to be certain that I’m consistently acting in the best interest of both our players and, naturally, our team. … Similar to what happened last week with the alteration involving Dillon, you have to give it significant thought, as these are young players in whom you’ve invested heavily for their development.”
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Are there particular aspects Sanders needs to demonstrate before permanently securing the backup role? Stefanski didn’t specify any one thing and reiterated his comments regarding player development.
“I wouldn’t suggest there’s a singular requirement to be met,” Stefanski stated. “In my position, I must prioritize the well-being of my players and our team. I’m deeply committed to the advancement of our players — the progress of our young players and the development of our quarterbacks. I simply aim to ensure that I’m acting in a manner that benefits our players.”
Stefanski expressed that he was “very satisfied” with the preparations Gabriel and Sanders have made thus far.
“This isn’t a group that you need to encourage to put in extra effort, whether that involves time in the weight room, meetings, or work on the field. We’re strongly focused on improving, and I observe that dedication from Shedeur and all these young players, which is gratifying for us as coaches to witness the impact of the hard work these guys are putting in on their performance.”
One point of clarity concerning the Browns’ quarterback situation is that Gabriel will face a significant challenge on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, with the game being broadcast on CBS.
