Shedeur Sanders had an impressive final season of his collegiate career, as he threw for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while completing an NCAA-leading 74.0% of his passes and adding four rushing touchdowns. Leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, many expected him to be one of the first players off the board.
Along with first overall pick Cam Ward, the former Colorado Buffaloes star was projected to be one of the first two quarterbacks selected. Instead, he did not hear his name called until Day 3 when the Cleveland Browns drafted him in the fifth round. He was the sixth quarterback selected in the draft – and the second chosen by the Browns.
Fans React to Shedeur Sanders’ Rookie Contract
Sanders signed his rookie deal on Monday, when it the fact he missed out on more than $30 million due to the draft slide became official.
Adam Schefter shared the details of Sanders’ first NFL contract on Monday:
Browns have signed QB Shedeur Sanders to a four-year, $4.6 million contract.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)
Fans wasted no time sharing their thoughts on the deal.
@HskrsStarsBucs noted that the son of Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders ironically is taking a pay cut to become a pro:
He made more at Colorado
— Mighty Matt 💪🏼 (@HskrsStarsBucs)
@0xCre predicted this will the low point of Sanders’ NFL earnings, predicting the rookie will earn a much more lucrative deal relatively early into his career:
He will be the highest paid qb in 5 years
— 𓂋 cre (@0xCre)
@HoodieCG claimed he is already better than several starting NFL quarterbacks:
He’s already better than Jordan love, Dak Prescott, tua turndaballova, Sam Darnold, jalen Milroe, ,Trevor Lawrence,
I bet the Steelers wish they had this Qb
— 𝕮𝕲 (@HoodieCG)
@thomasjordaniv labeled the deal as a steal:
might be the best contract ever signed in NFL history. absolute steal. he may go down as the best quarterback of all time
— TJ Jordan (@thomasjordaniv)
@MajToure999 shared a similar assessment, noting that the Browns will make plenty of money due to his jersey sales:
Cleveland got that young man for CHEAP!
They about to make that in jersey sales first month.
— MajToure999 (@MajToure999)
@SgtFoxy5 had a different outlook on the addition of Sanders:
They foolishly signed on for a greedy attention- grabbing narcissist that is going to cause chaos in the locker room. Good luck with all that.
— Sarge (@SgtFoxy5)
@TampaDynastySZN believes Sanders’ rookie deal will represent the high point of his NFL earnings:
The biggest contract he will ever get.
— tpa4dayz – KUCH the 🐐 (@TampaDynastySZN)
@thephillyfly acknowledged the differing viewpoints:
Looking at this comment section, this is either the best deal in NFL history or the worst deal. No in between
— Philly Fly (@thephillyfly)
Fittingly, it appears the fans’ opinions on Sanders’ initial contract are all across the spectrum in much the same way those of NFL front offices reportedly were regarding the former Colorado Buffaloes star’s prospects in the days leading up to the NFL Draft.
If Sanders ultimately proves worthy of having been taken much higher than the fifth round, his initial professional contract will pale in comparison to his future earnings.
