Well, it’s official: Ohio’s Cleveland Browns have named Shedeur Sanders as the backup quarterback for this week’s showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. And honestly? It should’ve never been this dramatic, but that’s the NFL for you.
According to Brownswire, after trading veteran Joe Flacco to the other Ohio team, the Cincinnati Bengals, earlier in the week, everyone with eyes could see this coming. Shedeur Sanders was already listed as the backup on the updated depth chart. But apparently, logic took a backseat on social media as people from “far away from Cleveland, Ohio” spent days complaining, speculating, and stirring up fake chaos. All because Kevin Stefanski said the team would “take their time” in practice before naming a backup.
You’d think by now people would understand how this regime operates. As the source puts it perfectly, “Anyone who has followed the Browns for the last half-decade should have known by now that this regime does not say things in weekly press conferences.” They’ve mastered the art of vague coach-speak. They don’t reveal anything until they have to. So why were folks acting like the sky was falling? Stefanski could say the sun rises in the east, and someone would insist he was hiding something. However, some NFL fans remain optimistic. “His time has almost come,” one wrote, regarding Snaders being named QB2.
Ohio Sports Fans Just Want a QB
Let’s set the record straight: rookie Dillon Gabriel is starting. Sanders is behind him. That’s it. No conspiracy. No secret drama. Just football. And honestly, this decision makes sense on every level. Let’s not pretend this isn’t a reloading (or rebuilding-lite) season. The Browns hold two first-round picks in the upcoming April draft, in what many are calling a strong quarterback class. Translation? They need to know exactly what they have in the young quarterbacks currently on the roster.
That means evaluating Gabriel, who is making his second career start against a division rival. And if things go sideways? You better believe the Browns want to see what Shedeur Sanders can do, too. As the source explains, “It would be beneficial if things go downhill with their third round pick to get a good idea of what they have in Sanders as well.” Facts. Why stash a potential future starter on the bench and never find out?
The moment Flacco was shipped to the rival Bengals, the message became clear: the Browns are looking forward, not backward. Flacco gave Cleveland some magic last year, but the team is moving into a new era. Young quarterbacks. Open competition. No sacred cows. Naming Sanders QB2 is part of that evaluation. It’s not a slight toward Gabriel; it’s not “playing favorites.” It’s just smart roster management.
Sanders Fans Have Been Fed Up With Kevin Stefanski
Let’s talk about the “crying and whining” the source mentions. Browns Twitter (and apparently some national voices) acted like the team was hiding state secrets. Every Stefanski quote was dissected, twisted, and blown up into something it wasn’t. “This week has been full of social media bickering and media spots blown out of proportion,” the article says, and they’re absolutely right.
All Stefanski said was they’d take their time in practice before naming a backup. Which is totally normal! But fans turned it into “What are they hiding?” and “Stefanski doesn’t trust Shedeur!” and “Are they bringing someone else in?” Stefanski stepped up today and finally put it to rest, making the decision official. And now the same people who were freaking out will probably pretend they knew all along.
Gabriel gets another chance to prove he could be the long-term answer. All eyes will be on him, and for good reason. Division games against Pittsburgh are always intense. If he shines, that builds momentum and confidence inside the building. But if he struggles? We could get our first real look at Sanders in NFL action.
When Will Shedeur Sanders Get His Shot?
And let’s be honest: whether you love him, hate him, or just love the Deion Sanders storyline, Shedeur stepping onto the field in a Browns uniform would be must-watch TV. Cleveland didn’t make some shocking move. They didn’t create drama; they didn’t lie. They just did what smart teams do: evaluated talent and prepared for the future. The source wraps it up perfectly: “We’ll see how the rest of this reloading season unveils in Cleveland.”
Exactly. Cleveland, Ohio, is playing the long game. And naming Shedeur Sanders as backup is just the next step in figuring out whether their future franchise quarterback is already in the building.
