Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders made his priorities clear heading into Week 6 as a decision on his spot on the depth chart continues to loom.
The Browns traded veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals this week, leaving Sanders and Dillon Gabriel as the two passers on the active roster. Gabriel will draw the start for a second consecutive week and Sanders is doing all he can to support his fellow rookie.
“We’re going to do everything we can to make sure Dillon is ready for the game,” Sanders said. “Whatever that means. Each and every day, even when Joe was the starter, I just prepare the right way and know that I could get out there at any point in time.”
Sanders was notably careful with his words. He created some controversy a few weeks ago by saying he was ready to play and could do better than some of the quarterback play he’s seen around the league. Sanders changed his tone while speaking to the media on Thursday.
“I’m overly confident in myself, and when I first got here, I felt ready to play. But it’s up to the coaches and whatever decision they make. And I’m fine with it,” 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.”
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Sees ‘Light at End of Tunnel’
The surprising trade of Flacco within the division makes the path clearer for Sanders to get on the field this season. The Browns opted to keep Flacco as the backup after he lost the starting job to Gabriel. Sanders has served as the emergency quarterback for the first five weeks of the season.
Sanders can see that things are moving in the right direction for him. But for now, he’s focused on the task at hand and working within his role.
“You tend to get more excited when you see light at the end of the tunnel, for sure. My job at first was to prepare the defense and I felt like I did a pretty good job,” Sanders said with a grin. “Whatever my role is here, I’m happy and thankful to do that.”
Browns Haven’t Named Shedeur Sanders Backup
The Browns have yet to make a firm decision on who will back up Gabriel on Sunday. Sanders was No. 2 on the unofficial depth chart but coach Kevin Stefanski danced around the backup chatter on Wednesday.
“Well, first I’d tell you is the Joe (Flacco) trade took us by surprise. That was not something that we saw coming,” Stefanski said. “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. … 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.”
The Browns head to Pittsburgh on Sunday to face the AFC North-leading Steelers. Cleveland is a 5.5-point underdog for the matchup, per ESPN BET.
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