The Cleveland Browns are navigating one of the more complex quarterback rooms of the 2025 NFL season.
40-year-old Joe Flacco is the current starter, but as the season progresses, rookie quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are expected to get a chance to see the field if Cleveland falls out of playoff contention.
The former Oregon Duck, Gabriel, is the backup after beating out Sanders in training camp. But recent reports indicate that Sanders may have fallen even further down the depth chart than just being the emergency third-string quarterback.
Shedeur Sanders Reportedly Jumped by Bailey Zappe on the Depth Chart
ESPN Cleveland's Tony Rizzo claimed on his radio show that Sanders, Cleveland's 144th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has lost practice reps to Bailey Zappe, the Browns' supposed fourth-string quarterback.
"I’m hearing Shedeur isn’t even running scout team—he’s literally just watching everyone. Bailey Zappe is running scout team. I don’t know if that’s true, but that’s what I’m hearing," said Rizzo.
"Why is he even here if that’s what you think about him? Because his jersey is selling? The Haslams don’t need jersey money. Today is Stefanski’s day to cop out...somebody better ask Tommy Rees if Shedeur Sanders is running scout team, because I heard he’s not."
If what Rizzo is saying is true and Sanders has indeed fallen out of favor in Cleveland, this is positive news for Gabriel.
The former Oregon standout is slated to get the first shot at Cleveland's quarterback job if Flacco goes down with an injury or is benched for poor play, and while fans and analysts have pointed out the excitement surrounding Sanders, if he is buried on the depth chart, he wouldn't be in consideration to play late in the season.
It appears for now, it's Gabriel's job to lose, and if he gets an opportunity to play, he should do his best to take advantage of it and establish himself as the Browns' quarterback of the future.