Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders might have to wait longer before he gets a game. As per reporter Daniel Oyefusi, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski remained non-committal on Wednesday on who the team’s backup quarterback will be between Sanders and practice squad player Bailey Zappe.
This comes as fans have been calling for Sanders to either be fielded or traded, as they just want to see him test his skills against NFL competition. Nevertheless, 24-year-old Dillon Gabriel has been the squad’s starting quarterback in the five games played this year.
Browns HC Kevin Stefanski was noncommittal today on whether rookie Shedeur Sanders — or practice squad quarterback Bailey Zappe — would be the team’s backup quarterback.
Story via @DanielOyefusi:https://t.co/gabuprFwja
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 8, 2025
Football fans reacted furiously to the alleged mistreatment of Sanders in the Browns system by Stefanski and his staff.
“Bruh, they just holding him hostage at this point because of his jerseys. Let him the f*ck go,” one fan captioned.
“I’m not a Shedeur stan but that’s stupid. He’s been the 3rd string the whole time, to trade your backup and then act like you don’t know whether the third guy is better than a practice squad guy is malpractice,” another user explained.
“For context, the Browns have already said Shedeur is NOT a backup. He’s gonna play eight games with an offense tailored exactly to his strengths. They don’t want him to go in for mop up injury duty and play in a bad offense for him and look bad and ruin his confidence,” another fan pointed out.
“Is something more going on? I’d figure Sanders would at least be the second option,” a fan shared.
Other X users are fed up with the fiasco week in and week out for Sanders and the Cleveland-based franchise.
“Never in my life did I think the Browns would go from starting QB controversy to backup QB controversy. Yet here we are,” one fan wrote.
“Yeah, this has officially entered the loony bin. We’re hearing too much from a HC who’s currently 1-4 anyway,” another user said.
“Just start him already so we can bury any narrative. Browns aren’t going anywhere this season,” a user claimed.
Shedeur, the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, was drafted by the Browns with the 144th overall pick in the fifth round of this year’s NFL Draft. Shedeur has yet to appear for the Browns in an official game this year. He had a four-year college football tenure, split between the Jackson State Tigers and the Colorado Buffaloes.
Read More: “Tom Brady Already Slept on Him”: Fans React as Damian Lillard Makes Feelings Clear on Shedeur Sanders
Kevin Stefanski Says He Will Make A Decision On Shedeur Sanders Later In The Week
In an additional report by sports reporter Daniel Oyefusi on X/Twitter, coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that he will make a formal decision on quarterback Shedeur Sanders later in the week.
This comes as practices and training sessions are underway for the Cleveland Browns, with their Week 6 matchup coming on Sunday, Oct. 12, against the Pittsburgh Steelers in away territory.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said the Joe Flacco trade “took us by surprise” and that the Bengals reached out to them.
As far as if Shedeur Sanders will be the backup QB, Stefanski said: “I’ll let the week play out, make a decision later.”
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) October 8, 2025
Also Read: Top 8 Shedeur Sanders Jokes Cracking Up The Internet As Browns QB Dillon Gabriel Shines On Debut
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