Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders will see a familiar face at the Pro Bowl Games.
Sanders will be joined by former Browns quarterback Joe Flacco, who was named to the Pro Bowl as a replacement on Friday. Flacco, 41, opened the season as the Browns starter before being traded to the Cincinnati Bengals. He started six games with Joe Burrow sidelined, going 1-5 in those starts. In all, Flacco passed for 2,479 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. It’s the first Pro Bowl nod for Flacco over his 18-year career.
The Browns staged a four-man battle for the starting quarterback job in training camp. It featured Sanders, Flacco, Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel. Flacco eventually earned the spot but he and Sanders also built a bond during their time together.
“I’ve learned a lot from the vets in the room,” Sanders said. “I’ll see Joe do something, and I’m like, ‘Alright, bro, I’m gonna try that.’ Then I do it, and it’s cool ’cause I’m like, ‘Hey, bruh, I did this ’cause I seen you do it.’ And he’ll be smiling like a proud dad.”
Browns Achieve Rare Feat With 2 Pro Bowl QBs
The Browns can — at least in theory — say they had two Pro Bowl quarterbacks on the roster to start the year. But the selections of Sanders and Flacco have sparked plenty of debate, with some arguing the nods only further prove how watered down the Pro Bowl honor has become.
“Shedeur Sanders and Joe Flacco are Pro Bowl caliber players this year. Just do away with it, man,” one fan said. “We’ve lost the plot at this point.”
“When I was a kid, the AFC would trot out Dan Marino and John Elway for the Pro Bowl. Now they’re sending Joe Flacco and Shedeur Sanders out there,” another fan added.
Others were stunned that Flacco had never played in the Pro Bowl previously.
“So let me get this straight. During the first 17 seasons of his career, Joe Flacco never made a Pro Bowl, even though he won a Super Bowl and had some pretty solid seasons with the Ravens early in his career,” a fan said. “Now, at 41-years-old and a BACKUP quarterback, you mean to tell me he got his first one this season? Make it make sense NFL.”
Shedeur Sanders Meets New Head Coach Todd Monken
Prior to heading to the Pro Bowl, Sanders stopped in at the Browns’ facility to meet new head coach Todd Monken on Friday. The two seemed to hit it off, with Monken reminding Sanders that he had tried to draft him while Monken was the offensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens.
“Hey, we tried to draft your (expletive) last year for God’s sake,” Monken said in a video posted by the team. “It’s all worked out. You remember that right?”
“That’s what I was about to tell you,” Sanders responded.
The Browns have not committed to Sanders as their starter heading into next season. But he certainly is the favorite after starting seven games as a rookie. Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel are also under contract for next season.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Set for Surprise Reunion After NFL Announcement