Overview

• The promotion was finalized Friday after Cleveland traded Joe Flacco to the Bengals earlier in the week, with Bailey Zappe considered for the role before Sanders was chosen.
• Sanders had been the emergency No. 3 for the first five games and will back starter Dillon Gabriel, putting two rookies at quarterback for Sunday in Pittsburgh.
• Stefanski said he wanted to be intentional and do what is best for young quarterbacks, noting Sanders’ progress and readiness to support the starter and be ready on short notice.
• Responding to scrutiny, Sanders vowed to avoid negativity after earlier criticism from Rex Ryan and clarified his locker-room mime as a playful response that was misunderstood.
• Media reports continue to speculate about possible trade interest in Sanders, including from the Saints, though no discussions have been confirmed.