Nearly a month after quarterback Shedeur Sanders was taken in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft he is officially an NFL player.
The 144th overall pick his rookie deal with the Cleveland Browns on Monday. Sanders inked a four-year deal worth $4.6 million and a signing bonus of $446,553 according to Spotrac.
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For reference, Sanders’ rookie quarterback counterpart, Dillon Gabriel, will likely receive a rookie contract worth approximately $6.2 million with a signing bonus worth $1.1 million. The former Colorado quarterback missed out on a chunk of change after his unprecedented draft slide.
Sanders was regarded as the second-best prospect in the NFL draft with No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward being the first. Ward agreed to a rookie deal worth $48.7 million.
Sanders’ former Colorado teammate, Travis Hunter, is also projected to make upwards of $45 million with his rookie contract. Sanders also had an NIL evaluation of $6.5 million according to ON3 in his last year with the Buffaloes.
Sanders impressed at Cleveland’s rookie minicamp with some saying he looked like the best player. In a quarterback room that has Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Deshaun Watson and Gabriel, the former Buff will have a battle for playing time. However, with the Browns’ quarterback situation and Sanders impressing this early in his career, he could see starting reps under center.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Shedeur Sanders signs rookie contract with Cleveland Browns