Shedeur Sanders Signs with Cleveland Browns Amid Draft Day Drama and High Expectations
In a twist few anticipated, Shedeur Sanders—son of NFL Hall of Famer and college football icon Deion Sanders—fell to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, where he was selected 144th overall by the Cleveland Browns. Despite projections that once had him pegged as a potential first- or second-round pick, Sanders’ stock took a late hit due to reported concerns about his pre-draft interviews and the looming influence of his famous father.
Sanders has since inked a four-year rookie contract worth $4.6 million, including a $447,380 signing bonus. While the deal reflects his mid-round selection, it doesn’t fully represent the buzz and intrigue surrounding his arrival in the NFL. During his college career at Jackson State and later at the University of Colorado under his father’s coaching, Sanders showcased elite arm talent, mobility, and poise under pressure. He amassed impressive stats and several accolades, building a reputation as one of the more polished quarterbacks in the country.
However, the pre-draft process proved to be a stumbling block. Multiple reports suggested that NFL front offices were wary of Sanders’ approach to interviews and expressed discomfort with the potential for ongoing involvement from his father, who remains a prominent and vocal figure in college football. These issues, rightly or wrongly, contributed to his drop in the draft, leaving many to wonder whether teams passed up on a true franchise quarterback due to off-field optics.
Still, the Cleveland Browns saw enough in Sanders to take a chance, and now he enters a quarterback room that includes four other players all vying for depth chart positioning. The Browns’ quarterback situation is fluid, and Sanders will have the opportunity to earn his spot through training camp and preseason performances. His playmaking ability and competitive edge could give him an advantage if he can quickly adapt to the speed and complexity of the NFL.
Off the field, Sanders has already made a major impact. His No. 12 Browns jersey has become the top-selling jersey of the entire 2025 draft class, underscoring his popularity and marketability. It’s a testament to his name recognition, charisma, and the continued spotlight from his father’s coaching fame. The Sanders brand is still very much alive, and fans are eager to see how it translates at the professional level.
As Sanders begins his NFL journey, questions remain about how he’ll handle the transition and whether he can live up to the expectations set by his college career and famous lineage. If he can, the Browns may have landed one of the biggest steals of the draft. For now, the spotlight shines bright, and Shedeur Sanders will have every opportunity to prove that his game—not his last name—is what truly matters.
