HEREA, Ohio – Cleveland Browns Trainer Kevin Stefanski was non-committal on Wednesday, rookie Shedeur Sanders – or squad defender Bailey Zappe – there would be a reserve defender for the team after the trade Joe Flacco V Cincinnati BengalsField
Cleveland traded Flacco and a 2026 sixth-rounder to Cincinnati on Tuesday in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick, leaving Sanders and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel As the only defensemen on the active roster. However, Stefanski said he would “take a week off [and] Decide later” when asked about the QB2 role.
“All types of rosters, I always have to be mindful of our players and the development of our players,” Stefanski said. “And I want to make sure that I always do what’s best for our players and, of course, our team. But with young players I always think – last week, making changes to Dillon, you have to think long and hard about it because these are young players that you're so invested in their development. So I'm releasing a solution [and] decide later.”
Stefanski also wouldn't say whether the team will sign Zappe to the active roster before Sunday's game so that one of the backups could serve as an inactive emergency safety.
Stefanski confirmed last week that Gabriel received reps with the offense starting during the regular season as a backup. When told that Sanders and Zappe share multiple first-team reps, Stefanski said, “You have to go through all of that. Again, really like the guys we have. We just have to work through it all.”
Sanders, the 144th pick in this year's draft, has been inactive as the No. 3 and emergency QB for the Browns' first five games. After trading Flacco, Cleveland on Tuesday named Sanders as its No. 2 QB on this week's unofficial depth chart.
“I wouldn't say there's one thing you need to see [from Sanders]Stefanski said. So, any decision I make, I just want to make sure I'm doing what's right for our players.”
Flacco started the first four games before benching Gabriel, who made his first career start last Sunday in a 21-17 loss to Minnesota Vikings in London. Stefanski said the trade “took us by surprise” and that the Bengals had approached the team about a possible deal.
Deshaun Watson Remains on the physically unable to perform list as he rehabs from an Achilles injury. Stefanski didn't provide an update on whether Watson will return to practice soon, but said, “He's doing a great job with his rehab.”
