The Cleveland Browns are facing early turbulence at the quarterback position, and rookie Shedeur Sanders is making it clear that he’s prepared to step in if the opportunity arises. As veteran Joe Flacco continues to struggle, the pressure is building on head coach Kevin Stefanski to make a difficult decision.
Through the first three games of the 2025 season, Flacco has been far from sharp. The 39-year-old has completed 77 of 126 attempts for 631 yards with only two touchdowns, offset by four interceptions. His 65.9 passer rating paints the picture of a quarterback who has yet to find any real rhythm. For a Browns team that had playoff hopes entering the year, those numbers are a glaring concern.
Waiting in the wings are two rookie passers—third-round pick Dillon Gabriel and fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders. While Gabriel currently sits above Sanders on the depth chart, it’s Sanders who has generated the most buzz. Before the draft, many analysts projected him as a first-rounder, but he slid to No. 144 overall, giving Cleveland what could prove to be a major steal.
The clamor for change grew louder after Cleveland’s Week 3 clash against the Green Bay Packers. Flacco finished the game without a touchdown and added another interception to his stat line. With the Browns struggling to get consistent production from the most important position on the field, calls for a younger option have intensified.
Sanders, who starred at Colorado during his college career, didn’t shy away when asked about his readiness. Speaking with reporters on Thursday, he issued a bold message.
“If the situation comes up where I’m needed, I’ll be ready to play,” Sanders said. “Honestly, I’m ready right now.”
Despite his confidence, Sanders’ path to the field isn’t straightforward. Gabriel currently holds the No. 2 spot behind Flacco, while Sanders has been designated as the emergency quarterback. Against Green Bay, Flacco started, Gabriel dressed as the backup, and Sanders was left waiting for an unlikely scenario that would have required him to step in.
Sanders has yet to take a regular-season snap, but he did flash promise in the preseason. In two appearances, he completed 17 of 29 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns, while avoiding turnovers. Though it’s a small sample size, his poise and decision-making left fans excited about what he could bring to the table.
The rookie isn’t lacking in belief either. When pressed further about his outlook, Sanders didn’t hesitate to express his confidence: “I look around the league at quarterback play, and I know I can perform at a higher level than what I’ve seen.”
For now, the Browns are sticking with the veteran. Coach Stefanski has already confirmed that Flacco will remain the starter in Week 4 when Cleveland takes on the Detroit Lions. Still, if Flacco’s struggles continue, the calls for Sanders—or at least Gabriel—will only grow louder. The Browns may not be far from a quarterback shakeup, and Sanders is making sure everyone knows he’s prepared when his moment comes.
