Shedeur Sanders enters Cleveland Browns training camp with plenty of questions surrounding his future, but one NFL insider believes the young quarterback is being underestimated.

Speaking on 92.3 The Fan, SiriusXM NFL insider Adam Caplan offered a far more optimistic assessment of Sanders than many expected and says he is more talented than many NFL analysts believe.

"It's fun because of Shedeur because he's more talented than people understand. It's an intriguing (competition)," Caplan said. "There's a lot of newness. There's a lot of intrigue. Some people look at this and say, 'There's a possibility that they'll be a little bit better than you think.'"

Caplan didn't stop there. He also explained why he believes the race between Sanders and Deshaun Watson remains wide open heading into camp.

"If Watson continues to look healthy and looks good in the preseason, he would have the small advantage," Caplan said in a recent episode of 92.3 The Fan. "One thing with Shedeur is, he's a very talented pocket passer. It's absolutely a fair competition."

His comments add another layer to what has become one of the biggest storylines of the Browns' offseason.

While Watson's experience gives him an early edge, Caplan made it clear that Sanders has done enough to keep himself firmly in the mix.

Caplan also pointed to Sanders' approach since arriving in Cleveland as another reason for optimism.

That endorsement comes after months of speculation surrounding Sanders, whose slide to the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft surprised many around the league.

Now, with training camp beginning, he'll have a chance to prove he belongs in the conversation for the starting job.

Pat McAfee backs Shedeur Sanders as Browns' quarterback battle continues

Caplan isn't the only prominent voice expressing confidence in Sanders. ESPN personality Pat McAfee recently said he hopes the former Colorado quarterback can bring long-awaited success to Cleveland.

"So many people are mad at us for being pumped that Shedeur was winning," McAfee said on The Pat McAfee Show on July 23. "You see what he did at Colorado? You see what he did at Jackson State? He's remained the exact same, it feels like."

McAfee argued that Sanders has continued to handle himself the right way since entering the NFL, pointing to both his preparation and community involvement.

He then explained why he's rooting for the young quarterback to succeed.

“I hope Shedeur does good and the Browns win. I hope they win. We would like to see the Browns fans and faithful have happiness," McAfee said. "We would like to see that. I would like to see that, personally.”

Those outside endorsements come at an important time for Sanders. Cleveland head coach Todd Monken has already indicated both Sanders and Watson have earned the chance to compete once padded practices begin. 

With preseason games approaching, the battle is expected to intensify, allowing Sanders to strengthen the positive impression he has already made on the Browns' coaching staff.

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Written by

Evince Das

Edited by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker