Fall-like weather has arrived in Northeast Ohio, the pumpkin ale is flowing freely, and we are now into Week 6 of the NFL season! Let’s open the weekend with the latest news and notes about the Cleveland
Browns and the NFL in today’s edition of the Saturday Dawg Chow.
Dawgs By Nature:
- Shedeur Sanders, Browns backup QB update (Jared Mueller) – HC Kevin Stefanski refused to comment about the team’s backup quarterback plans until Friday’s press conference, where he informed the media that Shedeur Sanders would take the role.
- AJ Brown rumors: Eagles, Browns trade makes sense, but salary cap makes it tough (Jared Mueller) – Trade rumors around Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown are likely to heat up as the trade deadline approaches, and the Cleveland Browns need a No. 1 wide receiver.
- Report: Browns Kevin Stefanski seen like Vrabel, Reid; no ‘fracture’ with GM (Jared Mueller) – Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is far from Mike Vrabel and Andy Reid so far, but will have options; no fracture with GM Andrew Berry.
- What the heck is going on with Mike Hall Jr.? (Matthew Wilson) – Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. has been a healthy scratch for the first 5 games of the year and was just ruled out against Pittsburgh in week 6.
- Browns vs. Steelers: Week 6 Need to Know (Thomas Moore) – Cleveland heads to Pittsburgh in search of its first regular-season win since 2003. Here is all you need to know.
- Browns, Steelers injuries: 2 ruled out, 1 starter questionable in Week 6 (Jared Mueller) – Jalen Ramsey’s update on Friday could be huge for Browns vs. Steelers in Week 6’s AFC North showdown
- Week 6 could be decisive for Browns HC Kevin Stefanski (Jared Mueller) – Is Kevin Stefanski on the hot seat? Week 6’s performance will tell the tale for the Cleveland Browns head coach.
- How to make sure Dawgs By Nature shows up in your Google search (Michael Peterson) – Here’s how you can ensure your Google search results bring you the latest Browns news and updates from Dawgs By Nature.
Cleveland Browns:
- Shedeur Sanders will be Browns backup QB against Pittsburgh Steelers (Beacon Journal) – The Browns are going with the rookie to back up their rookie starting quarterback when they travel Oct. 12 to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers.
- Shedeur Sanders named QB2 to Dillon Gabriel for Sunday’s game vs. the Steelers (cleveland.com) – Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is now one play away from seeing live action Sunday in Pittsburgh.
- No. 12 to No. 2: Shedeur Sanders promoted to Dillon Gabriel’s backup as Browns head to Pittsburgh with two rookie QBs (Browns Zone) – Shedeur Sanders is closer than ever to being Cleveland’s next starting quarterback. One play away. The high-profile rookie, who has been inactive as the emergency No. 3 QB for the first five games of his NFL career, will back up Dillon Gabriel on Sunday when the Browns face the rival Pittsburgh Steelers.
NFL:
- Keeanu Benton’s emergence against Vikings a great sign for Steelers defense (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) – A week didn’t go by in September when Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin were not asked why Keeanu Benton was still playing nose tackle. It stemmed from the middle of the defense looking soft when surrendering an average of 139 rushing yards per game against the Jets, Seahawks, and Patriots in the first three weeks of the season.
- Inside the Bengals crash course of Joe Flacco (The Athletic) – When Joe Flacco, all 6-foot-6, 245 pounds of him, leaned into the Cincinnati Bengals’ huddle wearing No. 16 below his striped helmet, running back Chase Brown also leaned in, waiting to hear what life would be like this week with a quarterback who just moments earlier learned the location of the practice field.
- AFC North QB roundtable: Changes, injuries, trades, chaos (ESPN) – Through five weeks of the 2025 NFL regular season, the AFC North and its quarterback landscape does not resemble what it looked like when the season opened on Sept. 7. As of Friday, three of the four teams are expected to start a different QB than they did in Week 1.
- How Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield’s wins are rewriting his narrative (Tampa Bay Times) – From brash to brilliant: A pregame exchange with a Seahawks fan goes viral, but Baker Mayfield gets the last word in the end.
