Browns HC Doesn't Commit to Shedeur Sanders as QB2 After Joe Flacco Traded to Bengals

Despite the assumption that Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders would be elevated to backup quarterback following Tuesday's trade of veteran Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals, it sounds like there's a chance he will remain the third-string signal-caller.

While speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said he will decide later in the week whether Sanders will be named QB2 behind fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel or stay in his current spot on the depth chart for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Browns surprised many by completing an in-division trade, sending Flacco and a sixth-round draft pick to the Bengals in exchange for a fifth-round pick. The 40-year-old had been benched by Cleveland ahead of its Week 5 game against the Minnesota Vikings in London. Gabriel had a solid showing in his first career start with 190 yards and two touchdowns, but the Browns suffered a 21-17 loss to fall to 1-4.

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Following the trade, it initially appeared that Cleveland was ushering in a youth movement with Gabriel and Sanders as its top two quarterbacks. The team also has veteran Deshaun Watson, but he's out for an extended period while recovering from a torn Achilles. Journeyman quarterback Bailey Zappe is on the team's practice squad.

While Sanders is a promising prospect, Stefanski appears to be considering turning to Zappe as the backup quarterback due to his experience advantage. The 26-year-old has played in 15 career games with nine starts and has thrown for 2,223 yards, 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

While backup quarterback decisions usually don't garner much attention, Sanders has been a lightning rod for scrutiny despite not yet playing in a regular-season game. Stefanski will surely have a lot of eyes on him this week as he determines the QB2 for Sunday's matchup against the Steelers.