Cleveland has once again seen a quick shuffle in its quarterback roster, a reality that rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has come to understand well this season. Just days ago, the Browns made the bold move to trade veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals. This decision comes less than two months after the team sent Kenny Pickett packing to the Las Vegas Raiders.
On Tuesday, Sanders, who is now the second-string quarterback behind fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, found himself taken aback by the rapid nature of the trade. “He told me,” Sanders shared in an interview, “and I’m like, ‘Dang, that happened quick. That was crazy.'” His response indicates that while the trade wasn’t entirely unexpected, the speed at which it was announced caught many in the Browns’ facility off guard.
Flacco, who is known for his Super Bowl MVP status, had a brief stint with the Browns but made a notable impact on Sanders during his time there. “He was definitely somebody I leaned on for wisdom,” Sanders remarked, appreciating the guidance he received from the veteran quarterback. “I’m just happy for him,” Sanders said as Flacco embarks on a new chapter with the Bengals.
This season, Cleveland’s quarterback lineup has gone through a remarkable transition, moving from having two rookies, a seasoned starter in Pickett, and Flacco, to having just Sanders and Gabriel. Together, they have only thrown a modest total of 37 regular season passes. Gabriel is set to face the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday for his first true road start, following a loss to the Vikings in London. Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson remains on the sidelines as he recovers from Achilles injuries, raising questions about his future with the team, especially considering his struggles over the past two seasons.
As Sanders continues to wait for a chance to step into the spotlight, Flacco looks to rejuvenate the Bengals’ season after a rough patch of three consecutive losses. Whether this move will prove beneficial for both quarterbacks remains to be seen, but the Browns’ quarterback room has undoubtedly experienced significant changes in a very short period.
