The chaos in the Cleveland Browns’  quarterback room has officially thrust Shedeur Sanders into the spotlight, handing the rookie his first career start against the Las Vegas Raiders. But the quarterback room remains, as ever, in flux. For now, head coach Kevin Stefanski has decided on the backup depth behind Sanders.

“Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Dillon Gabriel still in concussion protocol but progressing well,” Browns reporter Scott Petrak wrote on X. “Practiced today but won’t play Sunday. Bailey Zappe will be the backup for Shedeur Sanders.”

Gabriel landed in the concussion protocol in the Browns’ Week 11 outing against the Baltimore Ravens. Since then, Gabriel missed the team practices on Wednesday and Thursday (November 19 & 20) but returned to the field on Friday. Coach Stefanski has also noted that Gabriel will become the starter once again when he clears the protocol. But for now, it’s Sanders’ show to run, and behind him, Zappe, the former New England Patriots quarterback, slides into the No. 2 role.

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Though Bailey Zappe serves as Sanders’ backup, he has seen the field just once since 2024, in a brief relief appearance against the Ravens.

With Gabriel away navigating the protocol, Sanders has been receiving the first-team reps all week. This was something he desperately lacked before his disastrous Week 11 cameo against Baltimore. That debut was rough. Sanders completed 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards. In the process, he got sacked twice. Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton and linebacker Dre’Mont Jones hit Sanders’ famous ‘flex’ celebration. Not exactly a fairy tale.

But Rob Gronkowski isn’t writing him off. On the Up & Adams Show, the NFL legend called Sanders’ outing against the Ravens “a disaster” before pivoting hard.

“Last week was a disaster. What do you go? Four for 16 for like 40 yards? But I mean, it was already a disaster of a game,” Gronk said. “I’ve been waiting for Shedeur Sanders to have his opportunity in the NFL. Now he’s got a week to prepare.”

Even Kevin Stefanski has emphasized tailoring concepts to his quarterback’s strengths.

“You want to make sure that all the concepts are things that he feels confident in,” Stefanski explained. “Definitely want to lean into those types of things and he’s working very hard.”

As for Sanders, he seems ready to go and has the perfect stage set for his first NFL start.

Shedeur Sanders embraces the starter spotlight

While analysts debate his ceiling, Sanders radiates confidence. Ahead of a first start, he is ready to hit the ground running for his team.

“I would be doing a disservice to myself and disservice to the organization if I didn’t feel like I am the guy,” Sanders declared in a recent presser. “I’m doing everything I need to to prepare to be the best version of myself as possible. With the circumstances, everything got to be sped up. I like pressure in life. I’m just excited for everything.”

Sanders’ comments underline a rare confidence for a rookie thrust into the starting role.

“I’m more of a feel type of person. That’s how I learn,” he explained. “I gotta be out there and feel it. I gotta move around.”

While Shedeur would perhaps like to have his father in attendance, Deion recently also revealed he’s hesitant to attend the first start as his presence could become a “distraction”.

As the weekend approaches, both the Raiders and the Browns will look to improve their 2-8 records this season. Even keeping their losing streak aside, the Browns’ coaching staff has received complaints regarding player mismanagement. If Shedeur delivers, the Browns’ quarterback controversy could get really interesting heading into the next week against the San Francisco 49ers.