The Browns’ QB situation has become much clearer in the coming days. Along with Joe Flacco being set to operate as the starter, the pecking order behind him has now been set. 
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Tuesday (via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com) Dillon Gabriel will serve as the team’s backup quarterback. That news means fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders will work as QB3. Today’s update comes as no surprise given how training camp has played out.
Sanders has found himself last on the depth chart throughout the summer, whereas Gabriel has seen some time with the starting offense when healthy. Flacco has long been viewed as the top option, though, and the Browns’ logjam was cleared yesterday with the Kenny Pickett trade. Deshaun Watson, meanwhile, will start the campaign on the reserve/PUP list as expected. That leaves Gabriel and Sanders in place as backup and third-stringer.
“I think you factor in everything, truly,” Stefanski said when speaking to the media about the decision (video link). “We look at it from a bunch of different angles. So, certainly we made the decision and feel comfortable with Dillon serving in that role. It’s such an all-encompassing evaluation… We also saw a lot of them out here in practice and how they are at their craft. [Gabriel is] certainly somebody that we think is getting better and better.”
During his time in college, Gabriel drew praise for his accuracy. The UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon product was even the subject of trade talk one day after he was drafted, with suitors viewing him as a high-floor backup in the NFL. His chance to meet expectations in that role will present itself right away.
Sanders, meanwhile, will find himself on the active roster but he will not need to be on Cleveland’s gameday squad to be able to dress thanks to the current emergency QB rules. Multiple injuries will be required for him to see game action in the regular season.
If I hear one thing about how this is racist I’m gonna lose it.
“I’m the Reverend Al Sharpton! The ingrassitude of the multitudes of the complexitudes of the…”
Jemele Hill is probably already writing her hit piece.
The only one who thinks it’s racist is Neon Deion. He’s got Shiloh headed to Cleveland to take out Gabriel and Flacco.
What?
Seriously. It’s so annoying.
The absolute worst thing or at least one of the worst you can do to a young QB you see as the future is make him your backup QB.
Backups have to come in cold in any situation and play well. It’s extremely difficult for anybody let alone a rookie.
I could see them signing Huntley to the practice squad if they want to redshirt Shedeur.
Lets be honest. All three QB’s will be starting at some point during the season.
And I’m guessing all three will be mediocre to terrible.
If anyone watched The QB School, JT O’Sullivan just shreds Sanders and says he doesn’t belong on an NFL roster after his performance against the Rams.
Tired of hearing about the Sanders….one gets cut, the other is a third string QB…..why is that news? Is that because of daddy? You bet.
You know you’re on a football transactions site in late August, right?
Might as well have kept Pickett and let Sanders go
Give him a chance to sign in the CFL or something and USFL in the spring.
Sanders will get plenty of practice putting his uniform on!