It seemed likeShedeur Sanders had been working through an uphill struggle for most of his rookie year. However, as the second year of his career approaches, the narrative about theCleveland Browns‘ QB is beginning to change.
In an interview with 92.3 The Fan, Nick Wilson stated that the young signal caller had already proven himself during his tough rookie year. He was able to generate offense regardless of what was happening around him.
Browns Insiders Believe Shedeur Sanders Showed Enough Despite Difficult Rookie Season
Shedeur Sanders at the Browns OTA camp in Berea on May 20, 2026. © Lisa Scalfaro / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Wilson and Jonathan Peterlin discussed the Browns’ outlook for 2026 on June 18, with Wilson making the case that Sanders’ playmaking ability matters more than his raw statistics. Wilson added that Cleveland could become one of the league’s overlooked teams this season.
“Shedeur’s a playmaker. At the very least, when you have no talent around you and you can show people you can make plays in the NFL, that means you belong in the NFL.I think this team is mostly going to be ignored this year.”
"Shedeur's a playmaker. At the very least, when you have no talent around you and you can show people you can make plays in the NFL, that means you belong in the NFL. I think this team is mostly going to be ignored this year."
🚨 @NickWilsonSays and @JPeterlin react to more… pic.twitter.com/9zhBwM2fRC
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) June 17, 2026
Drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders assumed control later in the year and ended up throwing for 1,400 yards, scoring seven times and throwing ten interceptions over eight starts. He was sacked 23 times while playing behind a questionable offensive line and in an offense without much talent.
He was criticized for his proclivity to hold onto the football for too long. He was praised by others for rarely needing help from his team. In fact, even his own dad, Deion Sanders, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, recently came to his defense, citing that young QBs need to be protected, have a good running game, and good weapons to thrive.
The Browns did just that during the offseason, drafting an offensive tackle while putting an emphasis on quicker reads under new head coach Todd Monken during the offseason.
General manager Andrew Berry recently described Sanders’ offseason growth as “phenomenal,” while Monken praised the QB’s improved processing speed and footwork.
Training camp will ultimately decide whether Sanders or veteran Deshaun Watson opens the season as QB1. However, after spending his rookie year trying to survive, Sanders enters 2026 with something he did not have a year ago, which is momentum.