What happened: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders received a historic $17.7 million from the NFLPA, but the windfall wasn't driven by jersey sales. The massive payout is largely attributed to an individual trading-card guarantee negotiated before his slide to the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
Why it matters: The royalty figure is nearly four times the total value of Sanders' four-year rookie contract with the Browns. The payout reflects the immense commercial power of Shedeur Sanders, proving his brand marketability remained elite despite falling down the draft board.
By the numbers: Sanders collected $17,712,015 from the NFLPA between May 2025 and February 2026, shattering Tom Brady's previous one-year record of $9.5 million. While he ranked fifth in league-wide jersey sales, over $9.2 million of his payout came in a single May 2025 installment tied to trading cards.
What to watch: Sanders' merchandise sales are expected to surge again this offseason as fans replace his rookie apparel following his switch from jersey number 12 to 2.