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The Cleveland Browns’ decision to trade Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday opened the door for rookie Shedeur Sanders to back up Dillon Gabriel in hopes of getting some meaningful action during the season.
Gabriel wasn’t bad during the Browns’ 21-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but he didn’t do enough to give the offense the lift it needed. He was 19 of 33 with 190 passing yards and two touchdown passes. The Browns punted the ball four times in the fourth quarter, going within three on three of those drives.
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 14, 2025. (Peter Casey/Image Images)
Sanders, who has already expressed that he could do better than most starters in the NFL, was asked about the Flacco trade.
“He was definitely someone I leaned on for wisdom and I feel like he helped me a lot,” he told FOX 8 in Cleveland on Tuesday. “He helped me a lot during my time here in Cleveland and his time here in Cleveland. Everyone has their own destinies and their own plans… I’m just happy for him.”
He said he spoke to Flacco after the exchange and expressed his astonishment.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
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“He’s definitely a person who adapts to whatever situation he finds himself in,” Sanders continued. “He’s an older man, so it’s funny…I always bring out the youth in him, and he always smiles…(at the) fun things I do…generally, because he understands where I am now.”
Bailey Zappe is now the veteran in the quarterback room, although he was still on the practice squad.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) attends an NFL football practice at The Grove in Watford, England, Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
The Browns went on the road to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
