Sanders earns $17.7 million in NFLPA licensing, surpassing Brady's previous benchmark
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders generated $17.7 million in NFL Players Association group licensing income for the 2025 season, according to Front Office Sports, surpassing the previous record of $9.5 million set by Tom Brady in 2021-22 by a substantial margin. The figure is drawn from jersey sales, trading cards, and other licensed collectibles - revenue streams distributed to players under collective NFLPA endorsement agreements. Additional individual endorsement arrangements Sanders held entering the league pushed his estimated rookie-year earnings toward or beyond $20 million, per the same report.
The licensing total stands in contrast to Sanders' base salary. After sliding out of the first round of the April 2025 NFL Draft entirely and being selected on Day 3, Sanders signed a four-year rookie contract worth $4.647 million - slightly above $1 million per season. The Browns had also selected Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, a fellow Heisman Trophy finalist, in the third round ahead of Sanders, compounding the attention his draft-day fall received. Despite the compressed contract value, consumer demand for Sanders merchandise proved exceptional throughout the season.
On the field, Sanders spent the first portion of the 2025 campaign behind veteran Joe Flacco under then-head coach Kevin Stefanski. He made his first start in Week 12 at Las Vegas, completing 11 of 20 passes for 209 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a 24-10 Browns victory. Stefanski subsequently named Sanders the starter for the remainder of the season. Across seven starts, Sanders threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, finishing with a 3-4 record as Cleveland missed the playoffs.
His status as the Browns' starter for 2026 is not guaranteed. Deshaun Watson, returning from injury, has been splitting first-team repetitions with Sanders at voluntary practices under new head coach Todd Monken, who joined Cleveland from the Baltimore Ravens. Browns general manager Andrew Berry has declined to publicly commit to Sanders as the team's starter entering next season, leaving the quarterback competition unresolved heading into training camp.
