Shedeur Sanders to earn $4.65M with Browns: How much did Deion make in his first NFL deal with Falcons?

The recent selection of Shedeur Sanders by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft sparked plenty of reactions, not only because of the position he was picked at, but also due to the value of his contract. At the same time, comparisons quickly emerged with the deal his father, Deion Sanders, signed when he was drafted.

What’s curious about this comparison is that Shedeur, despite being selected at pick No. 144 in the draft by the Browns, is being directly compared to the money his father earned when he turned pro as a widely regarded superstar. Even if a player is chosen in the later rounds, the passage of time makes the comparison relevant.

Beyond the numbers, the comparison also reflects a generational evolution: Deion faced tougher negotiations, while Shedeur arrives at a time when even late-round picks can secure financial stability from day one.

How much will Shedeur earn compared to Deion?

Shedeur Sanders signed a four-year rookie deal worth $4.6 million with the Browns—a figure that, interestingly, surpasses the contract his father, Deion Sanders, received during his rookie season in 1989 when he was selected by the Atlanta Falcons.

Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches as his team warms-up prior to their spring game at Folsom Field on April 27, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado.

Deion was taken with the fifth overall pick by the Falcons and, after lengthy negotiations, agreed to a five-year deal worth $4.4 million. At the time, that number was considered a significant amount.

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Deion Sanders himself referenced this difference on social media, sharing that his son Shedeur signed a better deal than he did. “Proud Father I am!! I love my kids and I pushed my kids to be greater to be better to correct my wrongs & magnify my rights. My kids are built for whatever comes their way. We’re prepared for whatever because I got them no matter what!. Thank you Jesus,” he posted on his Instagram account.