Shedeur Sanders 'Thankful' for Whatever Browns Role He Has After Joe Flacco Trade

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is grateful for any role he might have under center following the team's decision to trade veteran passer Joe Flacco.

"Whatever my role is here, I'm thankful," Sanders said, per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. "I'm happy just to do that."

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was noncommittal regarding Sanders moving up to become the team's No. 2 quarterback behind Dillon Gabriel after Flacco was dealt to the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday.

Flacco started the first four games of the regular season, but he was benched in favor of Gabriel ahead of Week 5.

While the Browns ultimately suffered a 21-17 loss at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings in Gabriel's first start, the 2025 third-round pick still looked promising. He finished 19-of-33 for 190 yards and two touchdowns without tossing an interception.

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Although Sanders' exact role moving forward is still uncertain, he was supportive of his fellow rookie.

"We're going to make sure we do everything we can to make sure Dillon's ready for the game," Sanders said, via Oyefusi. "Whatever that means. Each and every day, even when Joe was the starter, preparing the right way and be ready to know that you could get out there at any point in time. I'm overly confident within myself. I know when I first got here, I'm ready to play, but it's up to the coaches and whatever decision they make then, I'm fine with."

Sanders sat at No. 4 on Cleveland's first unofficial quarterback depth chart in training camp, then moved up to No. 3 after signal-caller Kenny Pickett was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders on Aug. 25.

He could still be the No. 3 option for the Browns, potentially moving behind practice squad quarterback Bailey Zappe.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport explained Wednesday that Cleveland wants Sanders to eventually step onto the field as a starter with a game plan designed for him throughout the week instead of potentially entering the middle of a contest as a backup.

The 23-year-old previously appeared in two preseason games with the Browns, completing 58.6 percent of his throws for 152 yards and two touchdowns without getting picked off.