The Cleveland Browns reiterated on Thursday that Shedeur Sanders will not be bumped up to the backup spot after Dillon Gabriel was named the new starting quarterback.
The Browns are making the move to Gabriel this week, benching 40-year-old veteran Joe Flacco after a disappointing 1-3 start. Some assumed the benching of Flacco would lead to Sanders taking over the primary backup role.
However, the Browns are going to leave Sanders as the No. 3, emergency quarterback option, which he has occupied for the first four weeks of the season. Sanders is only able to enter the game if both Gabriel and Flacco are injured.
Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees spoke about the decision to put Flacco in the backup role ahead of the team’s Week 5 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in London.
“Just feel like Joe’s gonna stay the No. 2 right now and has done a lot to prepare and be ready to go in a pinch,” Rees said.
Browns Confident Dillon Gabriel Can Provide Spark
The Browns‘ offense struggled mightily with Flacco under center. Cleveland is averaging just 14 points per game and explosive plays have been hard to come by. Flacco also turned the ball over eight times — six interceptions and two lost fumbles — through four games. It was a significant part of the decision to bench him.
“Look, we all got to play better at a lot of positions. This is not singular just to the quarterback position. You know, we’ve all got to do our part around him, coaches included,” Rees said. “I felt like it was an opportunity to make the change, and really looking at it as a way to spark the offense and get things going.”
Gabriel is not known as a mobile quarterback. But he will bring a different element to the offense than Flacco, who struggled to work outside of the pocket or against pressure.
“You want to build what you do around a certain guy’s skill set, make them feel comfortable, put them in positions that gives them a certain level of confidence in what they’re operating,” Rees said. “There’s certainly some things that Dillon does that are different; certain things that Joe does are different. It’s our job as coaches to put them in that position.”
Browns QB Joe Flacco Taking Benching in Stride
Flacco’s career as a starter is likely over after being benched. He couldn’t recreate the magic he had with the Browns in 2023, which helped lead Cleveland to the postseason.
Despite the setback, Flacco has been supporting Gabriel as he prepares for his first NFL action.
“I think the best way to help him is just continue to come to work with a good mindset every day and provide that positive energy and see what he needs on his end,” Flacco said. “He’s ready to go. I’m sure he’s super excited about this opportunity. You can tell he takes it seriously just by the way he studies, his intent in the meeting rooms and on the practice field.”
The Browns are a 3.5-point underdog in London for the matchup with the Vikings, per ESPN BET.
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