Shedeur Sanders looked crushed as Dillon Gabriel entered the game in relief of Joe Flacco for the Cleveland Browns against the Detroit Lions.
With around five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Browns turned to Gabriel against the Lions with the game out of hand. It’s the second time this season Gabriel has seen some time in the waning moments of a blowout.
The camera showed Sanders on the sideline as Gabriel entered the game. He was wearing a headset, looking less than enthused about the situation. Part of that might have had to do with the score, with the Browns being blown out 34-10.
However, the video inspired hundreds of reactions online from fans, many of whom were eager to see what Sanders can do.
“I was born and raised in Cleveland and the way the Browns are doing Shedeur Sanders is ridiculous! If you’re not gonna play him then trade him! Why hold a guy hostage?” one fan said.
“When are they going to do what’s best for the team and put Sanders in?” another added.
Sanders has been serving as the emergency quarterback for the Browns on game days. While he’s in uniform, Sanders is officially inactive. He’s only able to enter if both Flacco and Gabriel are injured.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Feels Ready to Start
Sanders made some notable comments this week on his role and what he’s seen in terms of quarterback play around the league.
“I know if you see the quarterback play in the league right now, I know I’m capable of doing better than that,” Sanders said. “(There’s) obvious a lot of teams would be playing me, but that’s not in God’s plan right now. And some things happen for a reason and I’m a true believer in that. And whatever his plan for me is I believe in it. So I don’t be stressed or feel bad that I’m in the situation I’m in right now. It’s just funny to me and I just enjoy it.”
There is no indication that Sanders’ situation with the Browns will change anytime soon. Head coach Kevin Stefanski kept things general when discussing Sanders’ recent comments.
“He’s doing a good job. I hope all of our guys feel like they’re ready and they’re working very hard at it,” Stefanski said. “We do a lot of work with our players, rookies, vets, all our guys, spending every available minute that we have with them, getting them ready physically, mentally, whether it’s in the weight room, the meeting room, out on the field. So, all of our guys are working very hard.”
Browns QB Joe Flacco Reacts to Calls for Job
Flacco’s struggles have defined the Browns’ 1-3 start. He has completed just 58% of his passes for 815 yards with two touchdowns, six interceptions and two lost fumbles. His 39.3 passer rating against Detroit ranked among the worst single-game performances of his 18-year career.
Flacco hears the conversation about him being replaced as the starter but is trying not to worry about it.
“I know what I signed up for,” Flacco said after losing to the Lions. “I signed up for coming in and competing for a job and then leading this team to victories. And you know that everybody’s always being evaluated in this league, and that’s no different for any position. So it’s disappointing to go out there and play the way we did today. Other than that, I’m not really worried about all that stuff.”
If Flacco gets another chance as the starter, it’ll come in London in Week 5 when the Browns head overseas to take on the Minnesota Vikings.
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