Overview

• Cleveland finalized its Week 1 depth chart with Joe Flacco at QB1, Dillon Gabriel as the backup and Shedeur Sanders designated as the dressed emergency third quarterback.
• Assistant GM Catherine Hickman publicly praised both rookies and said the organization will gather “as many valuable data points as we can,” emphasizing an intentional development plan over a small preseason sample.
• Beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot reported the Browns will pivot to Gabriel if Flacco struggles, with Sanders expected to see live action later in the season as he gains experience.
• The team added veteran Bailey Zappe to the practice squad for additional depth following earlier moves that included trading Kenny Pickett to the Raiders.
• The debate over Sanders’ role intensified as analysts noted his fifth-round status and mixed preseason tape, with Ryan Clark rejecting sabotage claims and Deion Sanders voicing support for the analyst’s clarifying post.