Through four games, veteran Joe Flacco had an NFL-high eight turnovers and the league’s second-worst 27.0 QBR. Even the Cleveland Browns‘ offense was the NFL’s second-lowest in scoring, averaging 14 points per game. Consequently, news broke on Wednesday morning that the Cleveland Browns are benching Joe Flacco and starting rookie Dillon Gabriel. But fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders? HC Kevin Stefanski cleared the picture: “Shedeur’s the emergency quarterback.”

Although he had a unique approach to answer the reporters by pantomiming, where lip readers would claim that he said that he wasn’t thinking about it too much, it is hard to ignore how his competitive self would be taking the decision. Ever since he stepped into Berea, Sanders has been doing everything to keep himself relevant– learning the playbook through the night, putting in the work during the day, connecting with the veterans off the field. But his role in the Browns QB room hasn’t seemed to change.

While his immobile position would make it look so, HC Kevin Stefanski has seemingly not given up on Sanders, as he announced a new role for the rookie. According to a tweet by ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi, “Kevin Stefanski just talked about Shedeur Sanders leading a group of young players in a post-practice red zone session.”

As Sanders waits to make his NFL debut with the Browns, he has a new role of running the scout team. Interestingly, this will be the first time since the COVID-19 season in spring 2021 at Jackson State that he will be in this position. Otherwise, he has started throughout his four-year college career at the FCS program Jackson State and Colorado. And even though seeing Gabriel become the first QB in the NFL to make his debut in an international game in London, Sanders continues to see this as a growth opportunity.

“It’s concepts. Anytime you’re throwing the ball, there’s only so many ways you can get to different spots,” Sanders said. “I just enjoy it, and like I say, that’s my game day. It’s my game day.”

But it doesn’t mean that the Colorado alum does not have his eyes set on real games. Just a week ago, he had told reporters that, according to the QB plays he sees this season, he is well-equipped to be a starter. His optimism was then taken as arrogance by many. This led to his late Wednesday interview, where he answered the reporters with literal silent replies.

What is interesting to note is that if Shedeur Sanders had landed in Baltimore with the Ravens’ 141st pick, he would have had a better chance to start. With Lamar Jackson set to miss some games with a hamstring injury, Sanders could’ve been in the backup role or at least would’ve had a chance to compete with Cooper Rush for the starting role.

However, in the league where the only consistent thing is change, the Browns HC believes that Sanders can still prove himself. After practice, Stefanski was asked, “What would a guy like Shedeur need to do to move himself up [in the QB race]?” The head coach explained, “All of our players, and that includes Shedeur in this, are working extremely hard.”

He also pointed out how Sanders has become one of the leaders in the red zone 7-on-7 sessions. “We just finished our period after practice that we do every single day. Just finished a red zone 7-on-7 period where Shedeur and the rest of the younger guys are working on 10 reps. He needs to continue to do exactly what he’s been doing and continue to do what all these guys are doing, which is just keep working.”

That daily repetition has weight behind it. It shows Cleveland’s long-term investment in Sanders, despite him not being the starter or the backup. Still, reportedly, the Browns will choose Bailey Zappe over Shedeur if they need an immediate backup since he was in Cleveland previously and has experience with the offense.

Stefanski and his coaching staff, quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, have invested intentional time in every young passer on this roster. Behind the scenes, the training includes a daily mix of film study, scout team reps, and individual work tailored to sharpen everyone’s skills. Kevin Stefanski is focusing on every minute counts ideology, and they’re building these rookies up piece by piece.

“The big thing for us, it goes back to that intentionality of what we do,” Stefanski added. “Understanding that we’re bringing our guys along. And it may, on one day, mean meetings, may, on one day, mean a physical individual drill. If you will, at practice, while this side’s doing this, these guys are doing that. So, just like, big picture being very intentional about every minute that you have.”

The need for the rookies’ development also makes sense. One, the Browns have early picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and how the Colorado alum performs can affect many decisions for the team. Two, the New York Giants decided to start their 25th pick, Jaxson Dart, over veteran Russell Wilson, and the winless team has already seen a turnaround.

For now, after impressing Stefanski throughout his time in Cleveland, Dillon Gabriel will be ready for his first NFL start Sunday in London. But maybe the Colorado alum will find himself in yet another and more favorable role soon.