Shedeur Sanders ‘Excited’ About Browns’ QB Decision
The Cleveland Browns have yet to name Shedeur Sanders their backup quarterback, but the rookie signal-caller is optimistic about the way things are heading in Northeast Ohio.
Sanders spoke with media members on Thursday, October 9, saying he was “excited” about the way things have progressed in the team’s quarterback room.
“I’m in a great mental space overall. So I would say you tend to get a little bit more excited when you see a light at the end of the tunnel, for sure,” Sanders said, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. “Whatever my role is here, I’m thankful. I’m happy just to do that.”
Timeline of Browns’ QB Decisions Indicates Shedeur Sanders’ Shot Could Come Sooner Than Later
Sanders started his NFL career in disappointing fashion, plummeting from a first-round prospect to a fifth-round draft pick.
He entered the Browns’ offseason as QB4. Eventually, Kenny Pickett sustained an injury and Cleveland chose to trade him to the Las Vegas Raiders for a fifth-round pick. Sanders then became QB3.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski demoted Joe Flacco from the role of starter after a 1-3 opening to the season, elevating rookie Dillon Gabriel. And even though Flacco moved into the backup position and Sanders remained third-string, that decision felt like a significant step in Sanders’ eventual ascension to a starting role.
Then, on Tuesday, the Browns made an out-of-the-blue trade by dealing Flacco and a sixth-round pick to the division rival Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for another fifth-rounder. Stefanski now faces pressure to move Sanders up the depth chart into the QB2 role, as the other option is fourth-year veteran Bailey Zappe, who has been a member of the practice squad all season.
“You have to think long and hard about that,” Stefanski said Wednesday of who will be QB2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend. “So, I’ll let the week play out and make a decision later on.”
Stephen A. Smith Predicts Shedeur Sanders Will Start for Browns by Week 13 or 14
Even if Zappe gets the nod as the backup in Week 6, and potentially for a month or two moving forward, Sanders appears all but destined to get into the starting lineup with a handful of games remaining in the season.
“My anticipation is that we’ll see Shedeur Sanders by around Week 13 or 14, because I don’t believe the Cleveland Browns are gonna win many games,” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said on “First Take” Wednesday. “And because they’re not gonna win many games, right around that time they’ll be eliminated from playoff contention. And as a result of that, you have nothing to lose by putting Shedeur out there just to find out what he can do and what his value may be.”
Smith added that at that point, Cleveland will have essentially no choice with regards to Sanders starting. Browns fans want to see him, he remains a huge celebrity and topic of conversation week in and week out despite not playing, and Cleveland is probably going to finish the year as among the worst teams in the NFL.
If those are the circumstances, Stefanski and the front office will have to give the people what they want. And Sanders’ chance could come sooner if Gabriel gets hurt.
Most likely, Zappe would come in off the bench to fill in for the remainder of any game in which Gabriel goes down. But if he’s out multiple weeks, the Browns can build a game plan for Sanders and afford him a full week of reps with the first team.
Seahawks QB Jalen Milroe Has 3-Word Response to His First Preseason Start
On Saturday, Seattle Seahawks rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe got his first NFL start. Granted, it was a preseason game, but it was still a milestone for the young passer.
“Yeah, what a dream come true to have my first start in an NFL game, no matter when it is,” Milroe said after the game. “I wanna thank [Seattle head coach Mike] Macdonald, the whole offensive staff, for allowing me to take my first start.”
Milroe started and finished the game, getting a chance for a full game of reps, something he’ll need more of to continue his development. He finished the game with 148 passing yards and a touchdown on 13/24 throwing, adding 31 rushing yards on seven carries.
Jalen Milroe Grateful for the Opportunity
“It was just a great opportunity,” Milroe said about getting the preseason start. “Just to be on the field — and especially here in Lambeau Field, what a historic venue. So it was just a great opportunity. It was a lot fun, to be out there, to be able to compete. So now it’s just about building upon today as an offense.”
“No matter [if it’s] good, bad, or ugly, keep on going,” Milroe replied when asked about what he learned through the experience. “Keep fighting. Keep being starving, have an optimistic mindset as you approach the field — despite everything. Good, bad, or different, you gotta be the same person every day. You gotta keep on being encouraging on the sideline, you gotta keep on having that hunger mentality as you approach every single rep that you have.”
Jalen Milroe Battling for Position but Currently Third on Depth Chart
Sam Darnold was signed to be the Seahawks’ starter in free agency. Darnold spent last year with the Vikings, where he revitalized his career after having limited success at his previous stops, most notably with the New York Jets where he was the No. 3 overall pick in 2018.
Drew Lock spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons as the backup in Seattle before playing for the New York Giants in 2024. He returns to Seattle this year to reprise his backup quarterback duties, and should be Darnold’s replacement on game days if need be.
Milroe is firmly third on the Seahawk’s depth chart, but that could change in time. Lock has been the subject of a few trade rumors, and while it’s unlikely the Seahawks would consider moving him, they could try and recoup some value if they feel confident in Milroe.
Regardless, Milroe’s goal this season is development. He was a high-variance player during his career at Alabama — strong-armed, athletic, and able to read the field, but he struggled with inaccuracy and inconsistency at times. Right now, he needs to improve his down-to-down performance and pocket awareness, something that will likely be a focus of his time in Seattle.
