After it was announced that rookie third-round pick Dillon Gabriel had officially been named the Browns’ starting quarterback, there were a lot of questions about why fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders wasn’t moving up the depth chart, as well. With only two healthy quarterbacks on the roster, though, head coach Kevin O’Connell told the media today that Sanders would be the primary backup. 
We covered the reason that Sanders hadn’t been named QB2 when the team’s initial starter, Joe Flacco, was demoted. Essentially, Cleveland didn’t want Sanders’ introduction to the NFL to be him running an offensive gameplan designed for a shorter, shiftier, left-handed quarterback in a desperation setting. Not wanting to see Sanders struggle early, the Browns resolved to keep him off the field unless he was ready to run a gameplan designed around his own capabilities.
This thought process led the team to keep Flacco ahead of Sanders on the depth chart, thinking that Flacco’s leadership and experience would make him more well-suited to the uncomfortable situation of running an unfamiliar offensive gameplan than Sanders. But then, a surprise trade removed Flacco as an option as he made his way southwest to Cincinnati.
Even with Flacco out of the picture, though, the Browns weren’t quite ready to commit to naming Sanders the primary backup behind Gabriel, likely for the same reason as previously mentioned. The primary Browns starter, Deshaun Watson, remains on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, where he’s likely to be for the rest of the season as he recovers from multiple tears of his Achilles tendon, but there is one other option.
Practice squad quarterback Bailey Zappe was the other name in consideration for the QB2 role. Zappe started eight games over his first two years in the league with the Patriots and even got a start in Cleveland last year. While he may not give the Browns a better chance at winning than Sanders, his use as a backup would protect Sanders from having to run Gabriel’s offense in his first NFL snaps.
Ultimately, Sanders got the job. It’s hard to say whether it was Sanders who advocated to play regardless of the offensive gameplan or if the coaches finally resolved to just put their best arms on the field. Regardless, the first man off the bench behind Gabriel will be his draft classmate taken two rounds later.
Gabriel shouldn’t have to worry about his own job, though. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Gabriel is expected to get a pretty “lengthy run” as the starter. Even with Sanders rising in the ranks behind him, Gabriel should have a fairly long lead with which he can find his sea legs. Sanders may get a run of his own down the line, but for now, he’ll be available off the sideline in case of injury.
Kev Stefanski
Did any of y’all know his dad played football?
The media can barely control themselves when there’s a storyline that juicy.
I’m just waiting for the updates on what he had for dinner…
Source?
Zappe will now most likely be QB3…. Gabriel should be the starter the rest of the season unless an injury strikes, but now it looks like Sanders is growing in his development. Hopefully these 2 QB’S keep the Browns from wasting a 1st round pick in 2026 on yet another QB … go with the guys you have now n build around them
the dumbest guy in your group chat is ecstatic
Is there any other midseason QB2 news that would get it’s own 7 paragraph post?
Natasha’s peterman maybe
I almost want him to get in so people will shut up about him being QB1 ready.
Wait, Kevin O’Connell’s on the Browns now?
It’s bad when the news of your second string QB is the biggest news?!?
Dillon Gabriel is in danger…
I now think Deshaun may even get another snap before the season ends.
Who does Number 2 work for?
WHO does Number 2 work for?
They’ll never get their hands on me lucky charms.
How did the Browns acquire Kevin O’Connell to be their Head Coach?
What became of Kevin Stepanski = Now HC of the Vikings??
Way to be ON TOP of the NFL !! Great proofreading !!