The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback room might just be the most chaotic storyline of the 2025 season, and that’s saying something. It started out as one of the most crowded QB rooms in the league with a blend of vets and rookies. Fast-forward to Week 5, and it’s basically been gutted. Kenny Pickett’s gone. Joe Flacco? On his way out to the Cincinnati Bengals. Suddenly, it’s looking like Shedeur Sanders’ world. And he knows it.

The rookie couldn’t stop smiling when talking about Flacco’s trade. “He was definitely somebody I leaned on for wisdom, and I feel like he helped me a lot,” he said. “So now, you know, everybody has their own destinies and have their own plans they have in life. So I’m just happy for him.”

He meant it, sure. But let’s be real: that’s the smile of a third-string QB who knows the door to QB1 just creaked open a little wider.

That’s two veterans, who were comfortably ahead of him on the depth chart, gone in a very short span of time. What started as a four-man QB room is now down to two. That’s a huge development for Sanders, who’s probably one good week (or a bad one from Gabriel) away from taking the wheel.

This wasn’t how Kevin Stefanski drew it up, of course. When the season began, he clearly wanted the steady hands of Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett to run the offense. The plan was: experience first, rookies later. But plans tend to fall apart in Cleveland. Pickett missed all of the preseason with a hamstring injury and was sent packing to the Las Vegas Raiders.

And it’s not even harsh to say it: Flacco just didn’t have it. The Browns’ offense went three straight weeks with one touchdown. That’s brutal. Sure, the offensive line hasn’t been great, and neither has been the receiver room. But Flacco’s 2 TDs and 6 picks told their own story.

Now, Stefanski’s pivoting hard toward youth. Dillon Gabriel stays QB1, but Shedeur Sanders is closer than ever to tasting real NFL snaps. Even Deion Sanders couldn’t hide his excitement.

Coach Prime loves him some Shedeur Sanders

When asked about Joe Flacco’s trade, Coach Prime tried to put on a nonchalant persona. But he gave in to the excitement not too long after.

“I don’t care,” he said. “I don’t give a damn about the Browns. At all. I care about the Colorado Buffaloes. I do love me some Shedeur Sanders, though. Believe this. I care about him. Rest of that mess, I don’t.”

And honestly? He might be right. Stefanski’s moves suggest the Browns might be prepping for a future where Shedeur isn’t an emergency No. 3 quarterback. And, let’s face it: Shedeur Sanders isn’t your average backup. He’s the most talked-about third quarterback in the league, maybe ever. When your name trends more than your team’s starter, it’s only a matter of time before people start chanting for you.

Right now, Gabriel’s holding his own: 3 touchdowns and no picks. But this is Cleveland. The minute he has a two-interception game or a bad half, the fanbase will light up social media with “Start Shedeur” takes. Stefanski might just give in to the noise sooner rather than later.