Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders didn't get the first-round draft money he wanted, but he's cashing in elsewhere. The NFL Players' Association reports Sanders earned $17.7 million in group licensing income for the 2025 season, shattering the previous record held by Tom Brady, who made $9.5 million in 2021-22.
That record haul comes from jersey sales, trading cards, and other fan merchandise, far exceeding Sanders' four-year, $4.647 million rookie contract with Cleveland. He infamously dropped to Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft, with the Browns also drafting Oregon's Dillon Gabriel ahead of him in the third round.
Sanders' massive fan base reportedly drove record merchandise purchases, and with additional endorsement deals, his rookie season earnings top $20 million. He made his first start for the Browns in Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders, leading a 24-10 victory. He finished the season with 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions across seven starts with a 3-4 record. He is now competing for the starting job against a healthy Deshaun Watson under new head coach Todd Monken.