Many believed Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders inched closer to a starting role after the team traded away Joe Flacco on Tuesday, but that may not be the case. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was non-committal when asked about the backup quarterback role Wednesday, saying he’ll be patient while deciding who will back up Dillon Gabriel.

Stefanski made those comments during his presser Wednesday. After making his opening statement, Stefanski was immediately asked whether Sanders would be the team’s No. 2 quarterback Sunday. 

He didn’t give a direct answer, instead saying he would “let the week play out” before making that decision.

Stefanski echoed that sentiment a number of times Wednesday. When asked whether there’s a drawback to elevating Sanders into the No. 2 role, Stefanski said that while he has faith in every player on the roster, he also wants to “set our guys up for success.”

A report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Saturday suggested the Browns don’t want to put themselves in a situation where Sanders is forced into action and has to run a game plan that was built for Gabriel. If Sanders were put in the No. 2 role, he would be an injury away from seeing the field, which could set up the exact situation the Browns are trying to avoid.

That report came prior to the Flacco trade, so it’s possible the team’s thinking changed over the past couple days, especially after Gabriel kept the team competitive during its Week 5 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

With Flacco gone, Stefanski didn’t seem certain about how the team would handle backup quarterback. When asked whether Sanders would take a portion of starting reps in practice — something Gabriel did ahead of being named the starter — Stefanski evaded answering directly, saying he would “work through it all.” 

Stefanski also refused to commit to how many quarterbacks the team would carry into Week 6, saying it was “early.” In addition to Gabriel and Sanders, the Browns have veteran Bailey Zappe on the team’s practice squad. 

Stefanski wouldn’t even to commit to whether Zappe would be elevated or whether the team would look for outside help if it wanted to carry three quarterbacks on the roster. 

Prior to Tuesday’s trade, which Stefanski admitted came as a surprise, Sanders has served as the team’s No. 3 emergency quarterback on game day. Heading into each game, Sanders appeared on the team’s inactive list. The only way he could enter a game in that role is if both quarterbacks ahead of him on the depth chart were injured. That situation hasn’t occurred this year.

With Flacco gone, some assumed Sanders would finally be active for an NFL game in Week 6. There was a brief moment Tuesday where Sanders appeared to be the team’s No. 2 quarterback, though the depth chart on the team’s website lists no starter at the position Wednesday, with Gabriel listed second and Sanders listed third. 

By the end of the week, the team should provide more clarity there. Until then, Stefanski is going to take his time and fully evaluate the position before making the call.