'Light at the end of the tunnel': Browns QB Shedeur Sanders offers honest take on Joe Flacco trade

Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders doesn't mind seeing fellow quarterback Joe Flacco go elsewhere. 

On Tuesday, the Browns dealt Flacco and a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals for a 2026 fifth-rounder. After going 1-3 in four starts, the 40-year-old QB was benched for rookie QB Dillon Gabriel, now Cleveland's starter.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has yet to name Gabriel's backup QB. Still, the former Colorado Buffaloes star Sanders believes his path to playing time is much clearer.

Shedeur Sanders is excited following Joe Flacco trade

On Thursday, Sanders said he "sees a light at the end of the tunnel" while discussing his role with the team.

"I'm in a great mental space overall," the QB said, via ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. "So I would say you tend to get a little bit more excited when you see a light at the end of the tunnel, for sure. ...Whatever my role is here, I'm thankful. I'm happy just to do that."   

That role remains undetermined for now. The Browns' coaching staff has made it apparent that they value experience, which is one reason they started Flacco. That's why they took Gabriel (pick No. 94) before Sanders (pick No. 144) in the 2025 NFL Draft. The 24-year-old played in 64 games in six collegiate seasons at Central Florida, Oklahoma and Oregon. 

That may give Bailey Zappe — whom Sanders split scout-team reps with during the season's first month — an edge. The 2022 fourth-round pick has started nine games in three seasons with the New England Patriots and Browns, but has a 4-5 record. 

During a Thursday news conference, Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees praised Sanders for "constant improvement" throughout the season. Take that as a positive sign for the 23-year-old QB. 

To win the backup job, the Browns may want Sanders to show more maturity. Apologizing for going "full mime" with reporters after ESPN analyst Rex Ryan ripped him last week was a start. It was also wise to say that he's ensuring Gabriel's prepared for Sunday's road game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.

Sanders insisted he'll be fine with whatever his coaches do, but he'll certainly be disappointed if named QB3 again. However, he believes he's nearing a brighter future in Cleveland.