Shedeur Sanders is a big winner. In fact, he’s No. 1, a record-holder.

No, he didn’t win the Browns starting quarterback job — not yet, at least. But he is a richer man nonetheless.

Sanders earned $17.7 million in group licensing income (jerseys, trading cards, video games and more) over the course of last season, setting an NFL record. His total easily broke the previous mari of $9.5 million by Tom Brady in the 2021–22 season.

That’s also more than four times the $4 million figure that Minnesota Vikings quarterback J. J. McCarthy earned to lead the league in 2024-25 season.

Who knows how much more Sanders might be able to earn for the 2026–27 season if he wins the starting job in Cleveland.

Needless to say, Deshaun Watson, the man with whom he is battling for he starting job, is never going to do well in group licensing, which is linked to popularity, considering his background.

Steve King