Even when heading into Week 5, the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback situation is anything but settled. After veteran Joe Flacco’s rocky start led to a 1-3 record, rookie Dillon Gabriel takes the reins against the upcoming matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. But what’s the deal with Shedeur Sanders? Despite being a promising rookie, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is not moving Sanders up the depth chart, keeping him in a quiet third-string emergency role. And the silence he’s maintaining around Sanders is raising eyebrows and questions about the team’s long-term plans.

In a recent presser, Stefanski fielded repeated questions about why Sanders wasn’t bumped up to the QB2 spot behind Gabriel. Twice asked by Daniel Oyefusi, Stefanski stuck to the same response: “My focus is on the game. Joe is the backup.” No mention of Sanders, no glimmer of debate on his QB role. With Flacco now settling into the backup role, it’s a clear sign that, for now, Flacco’s veteran presence still outranks Sanders on the depth chart.

Flacco’s numbers underline why the change was needed. Across four starts, he’s thrown six picks, taken nine sacks, and only logged two touchdowns. A 60.3 passer rating wasn’t what the Browns had dreamed of when they named Joe the starter. Gabriel, meanwhile, is stepping into a high-pressure role after limited NFL action. He’s seen as the team’s best bet right now. And Sanders firmly remains behind them both, waiting for his moment that hasn’t come yet.

Shedeur was already behind Gabriel and Flacco in training camp. He showed flashes in the preseason, but his regular season debut is still blocked by the team’s belief that Gabriel is ready to lead. This keeps Sanders in a watch-and-wait mode, possibly shadowing a chance if injuries sideline the QB1 and QB2, or if Gabriel slips up like Flacco. For now, it looks like Cleveland is balancing immediate needs with development. But what about their future?

The draft picture of next season adds another layer to this story. Cleveland could be considering a first-round quarterback in 2026 to end their QB shuffle once and for all. That shows how unsettled the position remains despite the moves this season. Both Gabriel and Sanders must prove they belong, or the Browns will keep looking. For now, no one knows when Sanders could take the field, but he remains in the spotlight.

But while Kevin Stefanski sidesteps questions about Sanders, he’s been clear about Joe Flacco’s role beyond the field. The Browns coach is sending a strong message to Flacco about his leadership and importance to the team, despite the benching.

Expectations from Joe Flacco in the weeks ahead

Despite moving Flacco to the backup role, Kevin Stefanski praised his veteran quarterback’s value in the locker room. “This is not about one person. … Joe is a captain of this football team. We’re going to need his leadership moving forward like always. And that’s obvious with Joe, just the person he is. He’s going to be the same guy every day.” Even with the quarterback shuffle, Stefanski sees Flacco’s steady presence as a part of the Browns’ core.

The message to Flacco is clear: You may not be starting, but your role isn’t over. Stefanski’s approach mixes a tough decision with respect for the veteran who’s been a team leader. Now, Flacco has to bring that leadership energy to guide Gabriel… and Sanders, if he gets a start somewhere down the line. The bigger picture for coach Stefanski is to get better across the board. As he adds, “We need to coach better, we need to block better, catch better, run better. All the above. We need to be better. And I know the quarterback position gets quite a bit of scrutiny, I understand that, but this is about our entire team playing better.”

For now, all eyes turn to London for the Week 5 matchup where Dillon Gabriel makes his regular season start. If Gabriel falters, we might see Flacco rise up again. If all else fails, then it’s Shedeur’s time to shine. For the Dawg Pound, it’s a season of watching, waiting, and wondering who will finally take control under center. The quarterback story is far from over, and every snap counts more than ever before from here on out.