In a surprising twist during last month’s NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders, once projected to go as high as the No. 2 pick, found himself on the board longer than anticipated. Ultimately, the Cleveland Browns took a chance on him in the fifth round, making him the 144th overall selection. Now, that moment has culminated in a significant milestone: Sanders has officially signed his rookie contract with the team.
The Browns announced on Monday that Sanders’ four-year rookie deal is valued at $4.6 million, a figure set in stone due to the latest collective bargaining agreement that established fixed rookie pay scales, eliminating the guesswork behind negotiations. As the draft order is designed, Sanders’ position meant he was guaranteed that amount, reflecting a new norm in rookie contracts.
In a fun twist for fans, Sanders will don the No. 12 jersey during the 2025 season. Previously wearing No. 2 at Colorado, Sanders faced a jersey swap as wide receiver DeAndre Carter had already claimed that digit. There had been some buzz about the possibility of Sanders purchasing his old number back from Carter, but the rookie seemed pragmatic about the situation, downplaying those aspirations. “My signing bonus ain’t that high right now,” Sanders said, providing a bit of levity to the contract news.
Notably, Spotrac estimates that Sanders’ signing bonus will sit just above $446,000, a decent starting point for any rookie but likely not enough to facilitate a jersey buy-back. Interestingly, despite the structure of his contract, Sanders’ NIL valuation during his time at Colorado reportedly reached $6.5 million according to On3, showcasing the remarkable earning potential for college athletes in today’s landscape.
As he embarks on his professional journey, securing this multi-year contract provides Sanders not only a financial foundation but also a chance to carve out his niche within the Browns’ quarterback room. With seasoned players like Deshaun Watson and Joe Flacco, as well as promising young talent such as Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel, Sanders has his work cut out for him as he strives to solidify his place on the roster.
Finishing the last collegiate season with an impressive 4,134 passing yards, Sanders has shown he possesses the skill set to compete at the professional level. As training camps approach, all eyes will be on how he translates that collegiate success to the NFL, and whether he can break through the depth chart to make a name for himself in Cleveland.
