The Cleveland Browns quarterback room looked completely different two months ago. A Super Bowl MVP in Joe Flacco. Two first-round rookies in Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Kenny Pickett as the experienced backup. Now it’s down to just the two rookies who have thrown a combined 37 regular season passes between them.
Flacco got shipped to the Cincinnati Bengals for a fifth-round pick, leaving Sanders as the backup behind Gabriel. The trade happened fast, catching even the players off guard with how quickly the front office moved. Sanders now finds himself one injury away from starting duties while Flacco chases another late-career miracle run.
Shedeur Sanders Opens Up About Joe Flacco’s Impact Before Browns Trade to Bengals
Sanders spoke with FOX 8 after the trade went down and kept it professional. He ran into Flacco at the team facility right after the deal closed. The veteran told him the news directly, and Sanders couldn’t hide his surprise at the speed of it all.
The two quarterbacks spent over five months together in Cleveland. That’s not a long stretch in NFL years, but Sanders made it clear Flacco left his mark. He credited the 39-year-old Super Bowl champion as someone he leaned on for guidance during his rookie transition.
#Browns back-up QB Shedeur Sanders speaks exclusively to @fox8news @John_Sabol about the trade of Joe Flacco to the #Bengals. pic.twitter.com/PDQF6ihBz1
— P.J. ZIEGLER (@PJFOX8) October 7, 2025
Sanders called Flacco someone who helped him significantly during their shared time with the franchise. He kept his comments measured and mature, acknowledging that everyone has their own path in this league. The rookie backup said he’s happy that Flacco is getting another opportunity.
Gabriel lost his first start last Sunday against the Vikings in London. He’ll make his first true road start this weekend against the AFC North-leading Steelers. Sanders waits behind him while Deshaun Watson continues working back from multiple Achilles injuries.
Given Watson’s lack of success over two seasons in Cleveland, there’s a real chance he’s already played his final down for the franchise. When Sanders shared his views on a serious matter, Browns fans couldn’t help but join the conversation.
NFL Fans Rip Into Shedeur Sanders For Being Everywhere But the Field
The reaction online came quick and brutal. One fan wrote, “Most interviewed 3rd string quarterback in history.”
Another fan noticed the interview was conducted in a car dealership and asked, “Why is he being interviewed at a car dealership?”
A third observed, “This feels like AI.”
Not everyone went negative. The fourth fan defended Sanders with a dose of reality. They noted, “See this is a great answer by him. Complimentary and a little boring. He’s figuring it out.”
The criticism highlights Sanders’ unique position as the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders. He gets more media attention sitting on the bench than most backup quarterbacks get in their entire careers. Every comment gets analyzed. Every appearance gets scrutinized.
Flacco heads to Cincinnati hoping to stabilize a Bengals team that’s dropped three straight games. Sanders stays in Cleveland, waiting for his shot while the cameras keep rolling.
