Why Shedeur Sanders Reportedly Might Remain Inactive Despite Browns' Joe Flacco Trade

The Cleveland Browns traded quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday, presumably paving the way for Shedeur Sanders to take over as the backup.

But Sanders' path up the depth chart might not be so cut and dry.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport explained that the Browns want Sanders to get his first NFL reps while playing in an offense that game planned for him to be the starter. That wouldn't happen if he came off the bench as a backup for Dillon Gabriel.

"When he does play, they want him to be successful," Rapoport said. "The best way for a quarterback to be successful is to go through the week of practice getting the ones, play when the game plan is designed for him and go out there and run what you've practiced. If Shedeur is the backup, none of that would happen."

After the Browns traded Flacco, head coach Kevin Stefanski was noncommittal about Sanders taking over backup duties. Should Stefanski keep Sanders in the third-string role, Cleveland would presumably sign Bailey Zappe from the practice squad.

Sanders said a few weeks ago that he feels "ready to play right now" and even said he's "capable of doing better" than some starting quarterbacks. For now, he'll focus on earning the backup nod.