The Browns' quarterback room has seen some changes, after QB Dillon Gabriel was named the starting quarterback ahead of Week 5.
Those changes continued when QB Joe Flacco was traded to the Bengals on Oct. 7. Their position room now consists of Gabriel and fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders, as well as four-year player Bailey Zappe, who is on the practice squad. Heading into their matchup against the Steelers, the Browns worked through who would fill the role as the backup quarterback for Week 6.
After evaluating the quarterbacks throughout the week of practice, head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Sanders will serve as the backup quarterback in Week 6 against the Steelers.
"I'm always thinking about our players and what is best for our players. And I want to make sure when it comes to young football players – particularly at the quarterback position – you are intentional about your decision making," Stefanski said.
The Browns have looked for continued improvement from Sanders, as well as all of their rookies, throughout the first portion of the regular season. Stefanski said he has witnessed the rookies utilizing all available resources in the building to help them through the learning curve that comes with adjusting to the weekly process of an NFL season.
Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said that he has also seen growth in Sanders' familiarity of the offense.
"I think the level of preparation it takes week-to-week, when you're putting a new game plan together, that's a learning curve for all rookies," Rees said. "So, I think he's gotten more used to that, gotten up to speed, doing a nice job in his preparation and understanding what the game plan holds. And then when he's had his opportunities to go operate it, he's done a nice job. So, again, all of our rookies, we're playing a lot of them, right? We're trying to continue them on an upward trend and see how much they can handle and how to improve them, and he fits in with the rest of the group that way."
Sanders has held multiple roles in his first season with the Browns. In the first portion of the season, he helped prepare the defense as he took reps with the scout team. Now, he's taking another step in preparing as the backup quarterback behind Gabriel.
In this period of time, Sanders said he has continued to learn details about himself every day. He has gained perspective on how to handle different situations and what it takes to be a leader. He took lessons from his time with QB Joe Flacco in the room, understanding how to be present each day in the building. Those lessons have prepared him for the role of the backup for Week 6.
Stefanski reiterated the role of the backup is to be prepared to step in at a moment's notice. In order to do so, players must stay ready in order to not have to get ready. Sanders holds that belief in feeling prepared for whenever his opportunity arises.
"We're going to make sure we do everything we can to make sure Dillon's ready for the game," Sanders said. "You prepare the right way and be ready to know that you can be out there at any point and time. I'm overly confident in myself. When I first got here, I'm ready to play. […] My role is here. I'm thankful, I'm happy."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 6 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) and Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) and Cornerback Dom Jones (37) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Linebacker Jerome Baker (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Cornerback Dee Williams (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Cornerback Dee Williams (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Tight Ends Coach Christian Jones during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Tight end Sal Cannella (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) and Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (64) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Cornerbacks Coach Brandon Lynch during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Tight end Sal Cannella (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Cornerback Dee Williams (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Bill Willis Coaching Fellow Michael Bearden during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Luke Floriea (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Offensive Line Coach Mike Bloomgren during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Defensive Assistant Zach Dunn during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) and Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Offensive guard LaDarius Henderson (67) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
A helmet during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Linebacker Jerome Baker (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
A helmet during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Running Backs Coach Duce Staley during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2025.
