The Cleveland Browns will put Shedeur Sanders under center for their game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Still, the team made a move on its roster to have a contingency plan.
The Browns elevated quarterback Bailey Zappe from the practice squad to be their backup quarterback. With Dillon Gabriel out due to a concussion, the team needed a quarterback in case Sanders suffers any injury.
This shouldn’t worry Sanders as Zappe has been in the practice squad for a while and he is clearly below in the pecking order. Unless Shedeur suffers an injury, Zappe won’t play against the Raiders.
Zappe was a sensation for a short time
This is Zappe’s fourth year in the NFL. He has a starting record of 4-5 with 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. However, during his second year with the Patriots, Zappe had the NFL in awe for a short period of time.
Mac Jones wasn’t playing great and Zappe had the opportunity to lift the team. While the Patriots still went 2-4 in that six-game span, Zappe had three games where the team went 2-1, he completed 72.8% of his passes for 676 yards, six touchdowns and only two picks for a passer rating of 106.1. Zappe was earning fans before then losing his job once again as his form dipped.
Sanders needs a win badly
The Browns are 2-8 and Dillon Gabriel is 1-5 since getting the starting job. Sanders was overlooked and now that he has his chance, a win is imperative. The Browns aren’t playing for anything right now, but Sanders is playing for his career.
If Sanders manages to win, he at least makes the QB1 spot a debate. If he looks great while winning, Gabriel doesn’t have the cushion to just get back and get the starting reps. It’s a massive game for Sanders.