Overview

• Rookie Dillon Gabriel remains the starter after Joe Flacco was benched and traded, debuting with 190 yards and two touchdowns last week.
• Kevin Stefanski said he will "let the week play out" before naming a backup for Pittsburgh, leaving open a role for practice-squad quarterback Bailey Zappe.
• Local beat analysis stresses that a game-day No. 2 must execute the starter’s weekly plan on short notice, a fit they argue Zappe suits given nine NFL starts and familiarity with Cleveland’s system.
• Shedeur Sanders has yet to take an NFL regular-season snap, with Stefanski emphasizing ongoing development for the rookie.
• The stance drew national pushback, with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson calling the handling a "mockery" and Emmanuel Acho suggesting Sanders should request a release if Zappe is elevated.