Whether he likes it or not, Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski will have no choice but to make Shedeur Sanders his backup quarterback going forward.
Last week, Sanders remained QB3 on the depth chart despite the Browns benching Joe Flacco and handing the reins to rookie Dillon Gabriel. Gabriel was solid in his debut, though the Browns still lost. His performance, and Sanders' continued development, allowed the Browns to make a move on Tuesday that surprised many.
The Browns traded the veteran Flacco to the QB-needy Cincinnati Bengals, attaching a 6th round draft pick to Flacco and returning a 5th round pick from the Bengals:
Trade: Browns are trading QB Joe Flacco and a 6th-round pick to the Bengals for a 5th-round pick. pic.twitter.com/VbIorM9985
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 7, 2025
The Bengals were desperate for a QB. Star QB Joe Burrow suffered an injury in Week 2 that has him out long-term, and backup Jake Browning has been a turnover machine.
There wasn't likely a path for Flacco to get back on the field this year for the Browns, and the Bengals are expected to give him an immediate opportunity as the team's starter.
The Joe Flacco trade makes it all the more likely Shedeur Sanders will get to start at some point
The Colorado star entered training camp as the 4th string QB for the Browns. Cleveland had veterans Kenny Pickett and Flacco, to go along with the rookies Gabriel and Sanders. Flacco won the starting job in camp, and Pickett was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders to backup Geno Smith, clearning the path for Gabriel and Sanders to have a shot at playing.
Gabriel has maintained his lead on Sanders, but with Flacco now gone, Sanders is even closer to earning his first career start.
Any injury to Gabriel would thrust Sanders into action, and even if he remains fully healthy you have to believe, barring Gabriel leading an unlikely playoff run, that Sanders is going to get a crack at starting before the year is up.
It speaks to Sanders quietly improving behind the scenes that Cleveland would be comfortable trading Flacco now. They obviously have a lot of faith in Gabriel, but they would have kept Flacco to be the backup if they didn't believe Sanders could handle playing time.
Sanders has stirred up plenty of controversy since being drafted in the fifth round. His latest antics brought forth more criticism, but his talent and work ethic remain undeniable. He continues to take strides forward, and his hard work is paying off.