Sanders sees 'light at the end of the tunnel' as Browns mull QB2 - ESPN

BEREA, Ohio — As Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski considers whom to tab as Cleveland's backup quarterback, Shedeur Sanders said Thursday that he sees a «light at the end of the tunnel» after starting out as the team's No. 4 QB in training camp.

«I'm in a great mental space overall,» Sanders said. «So I would say you tend to get a little bit more excited when you see a light at the end of the tunnel, for sure.… Whatever my role is here, I'm thankful. I'm happy just to do that.»

Stefanski on Wednesday was noncommittal on whether Sanders — or practice squad quarterback Bailey Zappe — would be the backup to rookie Dillon Gabriel for Sunday's road game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the aftermath of trading Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals.

The trade left Gabriel, a third-round pick, and Sanders, a fifth-round pick, as the only quarterbacks on the active roster. However, Stefanski said he would «let the week play out [and] make a decision later» when asked about the QB2 role.

Sanders, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado football coach Deion Sanders, has spent the first five games of the season as the team's inactive emergency quarterback. He got limited reps amid a crowded quarterback room during the summer. But he made the Browns' 53-man roster as Cleveland traded Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders and released Tyler Huntley. Through the first month of the season, Sanders split scout-team reps with Gabriel and Zappe.

«We're going to make sure we do everything we can to make sure Dillon's ready for the game,» Sanders said. «Whatever that means. Each and every day, even when Joe was the starter, preparing the right way and be ready to know that you could get out there at any point in time. I'm