Shedeur Sanders Contract Value Revealed Ahead of First NFL Start

Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will make his first NFL start this Sunday. The Cleveland Browns named him the starter for their game against the Las Vegas Raiders. This sudden promotion comes after an injury to fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.

Sanders, a fifth-round draft pick, is now the 42nd different quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999. He gets this opportunity after a challenging start to his professional career.

Financial Details of Sanders’s Rookie Deal

Shedeur Sanders signed a standard four-year rookie contract. The total value of his deal is $4,647,380. His signing bonus of $447,380 is the only fully guaranteed money.

His base salary for the 2025 season is $840,000. Combined with his bonus, his total earnings this year will be $1,291,083. This is a modest sum for an NFL quarterback.

The financial gap between Sanders and his peers is significant. According to ESPN, No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward signed a deal worth about $48.7 million. Jaxson Dart, drafted in the first round, secured a contract worth nearly $17 million.

A Critical Opportunity for the Young QB

This start is a crucial audition for Sanders’s future. He entered the game last week after Gabriel suffered a concussion. His performance was shaky, completing only 4 of 16 passes.

He now has a full week of practice with the first-team offense. The Browns are hoping for a much-improved showing. A strong performance could secure his roster spot long-term.

Even a solid backup role can be a lucrative career. Players like Chase Daniel have built long careers in that capacity. Sanders has a chance to prove he belongs in the league.

Shedeur Sanders has a chance to redefine his early NFL narrative this weekend. His modest rookie contract underscores the immense value of this starting opportunity for the young quarterback’s future.

Thought you’d like to know-

How much is Shedeur Sanders’s NFL contract worth?

Shedeur Sanders signed a four-year rookie contract worth $4,647,380. The deal includes a $447,380 signing bonus as its only guaranteed money.

What is Shedeur Sanders’s salary for the 2025 season?

His 2025 base salary is $840,000. With his prorated signing bonus, his total earnings for the year will be approximately $1,291,083.

Why is Shedeur Sanders starting for the Browns?

He is starting because regular starter Dillon Gabriel is in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Sanders finished the previous game after Gabriel’s injury.

How does Sanders’s contract compare to other rookie QBs?

It is significantly lower. First overall pick Cam Ward’s contract is worth about $48.7 million, over ten times the value of Sanders’s deal.

What round was Shedeur Sanders drafted in?

The Cleveland Browns selected Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. He was the 144th overall pick.

Trusted Sources

ESPN, NFL.com