Comparing Shedeur Sanders’ NIL Earnings at Colorado to Browns Contract

Shedeur Sanders made things official with the Cleveland Browns on Monday when the quarterback signed his rookie contract.

While the NFL gives Sanders the chance to make plenty of money, his first contract might not compare to what he was bringing in at Colorado last season. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Sanders’ rookie deal is a four-year, $4.6 million contract with a $447,380 signing bonus.

His exact NIL earnings aren’t clear, but On3 gave him a valuation of $6.5 million last season.

The good news for Sanders is that he’ll likely keep many of his partnerships from college, like his deals with Nike, Beats by Dre and Gatorade. Sanders is also one of the biggest names in this year’s rookie class, so he’ll have plenty of other endorsements heading his way soon.

Sanders’ rookie contract could have been worth much more had he not faced a historic slide after being widely projected as a first-round draft pick. The NFL grants higher rookie salaries to players who were drafted earlier, meaning a first-rounder’s salary is much higher than a fifth-rounder like Sanders.

Per Spotrac, No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward will get a four-year deal worth $48.757 million and a $32.1 million signing bonus. Sanders’ Colorado teammate, Travis Hunter, will get a $46.571 million contract with a $30.509 million signing bonus.

The lost money is something Sanders can’t ignore, but he now has the chance to use it as motivation to get a massive payday when it’s time to sign his second contract.

Sanders was one of the most talented quarterbacks in the draft, throwing for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns in his final season at Colorado. He was the No. 2 quarterback on the final big board from Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department, only behind Ward.

Unfortunately, some mistakes from Sanders during the draft process meant teams passed on him until the fifth round, but he’ll look to let his play do the talking this fall.