Despite a 1-4 record, the Cleveland Browns remain one of the NFL’s most talked-about teams.
There’s a simple reason for that: Cleveland has one of the league’s most intriguing quarterback rooms. Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills are predictable, featuring world-class talents under center who command the position with an iron fist.
The Browns? Not so much. One day, their rotation was led by Joe Flacco. The next, Dillon Gabriel took over. Through it all, Shedeur Sanders waits in the wings, eager for his turn in the spotlight.
For a struggling football team, the Browns’ quarterback room is surprisingly lively. And it became even more fascinating on Oct. 7, when Cleveland traded Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Here’s a look at the Browns’ QB depth chart following Flacco’s departure.
MORE: Shedeur Sanders, Pittsburgh Steeelrs highlight Joe Flacco trade winners and losers
Browns QB depth chart
| QB | Player |
| 1 | Dillon Gabriel |
| 2 | Shedeur Sanders |
| PS | Bailey Zappe |
1. Dillon Gabriel
Gabriel made his first regular-season start in Browns colors in Week 4, and by Week 5, he had established himself as the team’s unquestioned go-to option under center.
He’s gotten off to a solid start in the NFL, throwing three touchdowns across his first three appearances. In the Browns’ 21-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London, he completed 19-of-33 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Gabriel is expected to gain further ground on Kevin Stefanski’s depth chart as Cleveland ramps up its divisional schedule in the coming weeks.
MORE: Joe Flacco traded to Bengals, adding another stop in legacy
2. Shedeur Sanders
Despite failing to the see the field in any of the Browns' first five regular season games, Sanders made up some ground on the QB totem pole. He might have benefitted more than anyone on Cleveland's roster from Flacco's departure, prancing into a backup role for the foreseeable future.
If Gabriel has any toils or is felled by any sort of injury, Sanders will take the reins of the Browns' offense. After being rebuked for his decision to pass up a spot on the Baltimore Ravens for a chance at the starting gig in Cleveland, Sanders can see the keys to Stefanski's offense in the distance. He'll need a little help to take them for himself, though.
After days of deliberation, Stefanski revealed that Sanders will backup Gabriel in the Browns' Week 6 fixture against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
3. Bailey Zappe
Zappe doesn't immediately fit into Cleveland's plans. But he could in due time if something happens to Gabriel or Sanders.
Stefanski revealed that Flacco's departure came as a surprise to him. There's a growing belief that Cleveland's head coach wants a veteran behind Gabriel to offer him guidance; during his mid-week presser, Stefanski called Zappe, a fifth-year veteran, "the elder statesman" in the QB room. Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson posited that Stefanski's decision to not name Sanders the backup while speaking with reporters in the immediate aftermath of the Flacco trade indicated he preferred Zappe to Sanders in the QB totem pole.
That's certainly not confirmed. But Zappe could get his chance before late, especially if Gabriel and Sanders struggle.
MORE: What the Joe Flacco trade means for Bengals QB depth chart: