Browns HC makes surprising Shedeur Sanders decision for Steelers game

As recently as Friday morning, multiple Cleveland Browns reporters said they expected the club would promote quarterback Bailey Zappe to the active roster so he could serve as the team's primary backup for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1).

During his Friday media availability, head coach Kevin Stefanski delivered a bit of a curveball when he confirmed that rookie QB Shedeur Sanders will be Cleveland's QB2 behind starter Dillon Gabriel.

Why is latest Shedeur Sanders development a surprise?

Sanders received a promotion on the Browns' unofficial depth chart after the club traded Week 1 starter Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday. Stefanski benched Flacco in favor of Gabriel for Cleveland's Week 5 game against the Minnesota Vikings, and Gabriel completed 19-of-33 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-17 loss at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. 

A previous report indicated that Sanders would remain Cleveland's emergency third-string quarterback until he was deemed ready to receive "a full week of practice and a game plan built for him" as the starter. Earlier in the week, Stefanski shared that he wanted "to be mindful of our players and our players' development" regarding Sanders possibly seeing action in Pittsburgh. 

Why are Browns ready to promote Shedeur Sanders in Week 6?

Stefanski referenced his previous comments while explaining why now is the right time for the Browns to promote Sanders for the first time since the preseason ended.