The Cleveland Browns made a quarterback change ahead of Week 5, but Shedeur Sanders will remain the third-string quarterback.
Dillon Gabriel will start for the Browns when Cleveland takes on the Minnesota Vikings in England in Week 5. Joe Flacco, who was benched, will serve as the backup while Sanders remains inactive as the emergency third-string quarterback.
Given that Flacco has struggled, sports analyst Stephen A. Smith doesn’t understand why the Browns aren’t allowing Sanders to be the backup. But he believes it is due to political reasons.
“Why you got Joe Flacco at QB2 when you know it should be Shedeur Sanders?” Smith said. “See, this is the stuff that makes you think for a second and say you know what? Politics, politics, politics. Joe Flacco is a stopgap…
“Why are we acting like Shedeur Sanders doesn’t deserve to be QB2? Why are we acting like we aren’t going to be seeing this brother before the season is over? Unless Dillon Gabriel goes out there and plays lights out, you know the Cleveland Browns are going to insert Shedeur Sanders at some point. I think it’s going to be sooner rather than later, but I don’t think it’s going to be too late.”
Smith believes the Browns’ not making Sanders the backup is due to politics. However, Smith does agree with how Sanders has handled everything, including turning down the Baltimore Ravens to draft him.
But, Smith believes there is no reason why Flacco should be the backup over Sanders when the Browns need to find an answer at quarterback.
Browns Coach Names Flacco the Backup
Cleveland will be turning to Gabriel in Week 5, and Flacco will be the backup, coach Kevin Stefanski revealed.
“Yeah, Joe’s the backup,” Stefanski said.
With Flacco being the backup, Sanders will continue to be inactive as he waits to get into his first NFL game. As for Flacco, he says he plans to help mentor Gabriel and make sure he’s the most prepared he can be.
“I think the best way to help him is just continue to come to work, you know, with a good mindset every day and provide that positive energy and see what he needs on his end,” Flacco said… “Listen, he’s into it, man. He’s ready to go. I’m sure he’s super excited about this opportunity. You can tell he takes it seriously just by the way he studies and his intent in the meeting rooms and on the practice field.”
The Browns are 4.5-point underdogs against the Vikings in England on Sunday.
Offensive Coordinator Excited for Gabriel to Start
The Browns‘ offense has been struggling through four weeks, and the team has finally made a quarterback change.
Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees says he’s excited for Gabriel to start and believes the rookie is more than ready.
“Yeah, excited about the opportunity for Dillon (Gabriel), and obviously talking with Kevin (Stefanski) and throughout the week on it, felt like it was the right time for it,” Rees said. “He’s put in a lot of work to put himself ready to play, so guys have rallied around him.
“We’ve all got to do our part to help elevate the play of the quarterback and get the quarterback playing well,” Rees added. So, I know Dillon’s been chomping at the bit, and Joe (Flacco) has been there every step of the way to help support him through this process and get him ready on this week here in London and getting ready to play Minnesota (Vikings).”
Gabriel has appeared in two games this season, going 3-for-4 for 19 yards and a touchdown.