The Browns have signed rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders to a four-year rookie deal, per a team announcement.
Sanders, the 144th overall selection in last month’s draft, will earn $4.6MM on his first NFL contract, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, including a $447,380 signing bonus. Like all fifth-round picks, he did not receive any guaranteed money beyond his signing bonus.
Once projected to be a first-round pick, the former Colorado star lost out on millions of dollars after falling all the way to Day 3. In comparison, the last pick in the first round, Josh Simmons, signed a fully-guaranteed rookie contract with the Chiefs worth $14.7MM. Even if Sanders was drafted on Day 2, he would have received a significantly better deal in terms of total value and guaranteed money.
However, Sanders still has far more earning potential than the average fifth-round pick after signing endorsement deals with several major brands, including Nike and Beats By Dre. Those sponsorships started during Sanders’ time at Colorado and continued throughout the pre-draft process, indicating that they will carry over into his NFL career. However, it’s unclear how long they will last; Sanders may have to win a starting job in Cleveland to earn further extensions.
If Sanders does emerge as the Browns’ starter on his rookie deal, he would immediately be one of the most cost-effective quarterbacks in the NFL. His $1.16MM APY is less than what Easton Stick and Jarrett Stidham are earning as potential third-string quarterbacks for the Falcons and the Broncos this year, per OverTheCap.
Whether it’s Sanders or third-round pick Dillon Gabriel, a cheap long-term option under center would go a long way in helping Cleveland move forward financially after the disastrous Deshaun Watson deal. His contract still has $170MM remaining in fully-guaranteed money, all due across the next three years.
Perfect timing
Kid will make as much in a season as Ol’ Creeper will be making each Half.
The Browns should have required he release at least one rap song a year, ideally about his jewelry, watches or cars just so we have something to entertain us when his on field performance isn’t doing the trick.
He’s going to see the field?
I’m not buying the fact that he dropped so far because of lack of talent. I think teams may be gun shy because of Williams and Richardson. So many can’t miss QB’s can’t or won’t adapt to the teams offensive program and end up flaming out spectacularly. Sanders , from my point of view, wasn’t the man playing amongst boys that most 1st rounders tend to be. Add that to the fact that he had an attitude and was full of himself and most teams want a first round QB to walk in and start and I can see why he dropped down. Daddy being the head coach was probably a factor too. Dad isn’t going to be calling plays that Sonny can’t pull off. And the fact that Hunter won’t be there to pull his butt out of the fire and he’s far from a can’t miss product. He just needs to humble himself, tell dad to shut up and sit down, and work hard at figuring out what Cleveland needs him to accomplish. This is just my opinion and observations, so don’t have a hissy fit if you don’t agree.
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