Shedeur Sanders has signed his NFL rookie contract, inking a four-year deal with the Cleveland Browns, the team announced Monday. His deal is worth $4.6 million and includes a $447,380 signing bonus.
He is the fourth draftee to sign with the franchise.
Sanders, 23, is part of a quartet of quarterbacks fighting for the starting spot alongside Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel and Kenny Pickett. There’s also Deshaun Watson, who will be in the fold once he recovers from an Achilles injury.
Pen to paper🖋️
We’ve signed QB Shedeur Sanders
📰 » https://t.co/BmeN8tau5q pic.twitter.com/V05Zvw2osC
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 19, 2025
Sanders, a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, was originally projected as a first-rounder by many. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler had Sanders going No. 21 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in his penultimate mock draft before dropping Sanders out of the top 32 in his final first-round mock draft.
There are several possible explanations why Sanders slipped in the draft, but it undoubtedly cost him financially. According to Spotrac.com, No. 1 pick Cam Ward is projected to sign a deal worth approximately $48 million, including a $32 million signing bonus. Meanwhile, the New York Giants’ first-round quarterback pick Jaxson Dart is expected to receive around $17 million with a $9 million signing bonus.
Across the league, multiple rookies have already signed their contracts. Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland inked a fully guaranteed four-year deal worth $26.64 million, including a $16.01 million signing bonus.
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Mykel Williams signed a fully guaranteed four-year, $24.9 million contract with a $14.8 million signing bonus, while Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. agreed to a four-year, $16.8 million deal featuring an $8.8 million signing bonus.
(Photo: Nick Cammett / Getty Images)