The NFLPA filed its annual report earlier this week with the Department of Labor. The report outlined a $17.7 million amount made to the Browns’ quarterback, Shedeur Sanders’ SS2 Legendary LLC. 

"Yesterday, there was a report that came out that Shedeur Sanders earned $17.7 million from the NFLPA, the highest in the history of the NFLPA’s licensing deals and business deals with a player," said Pat McAfee on his show. "The second-highest in history, Travis Hunter, also from Colorado."

Travis Hunter received $12.8 million. Both Sanders and Hunter made more than Tom Brady, who held the record for $9.5M during the 2021-2022 season.

From May 2025 to February 2026, Sanders was paid the amount in 13 installments labelled as “Royalties/Player Marketing” income, which included merchandise, trading cards, event fees, etc.

"We were so baffled on how the hell did 17.7 million dollars come through just the NFLPA to Shedeur Sanders," McAfee added. "We got a chance to chat with J.C. Tretter, who's the head of the NFLPA…he said about 15 millionish came from card deal for Shedeur Sanders."

Per Jacob Camenkar of USA Today, all of Sanders’ earnings in the report stemmed from group licensing deals. These deals include six or more players for collectibles like trading cards, jerseys, video games, and more.

Camenkar added that the reported figure doesn’t take into account Sanders’ personal endorsement deals, which he has with Gatorade, Beats by Dre, etc. 

After McAfee’s revelation that Sanders’ sports card deal was a massive piece of the income he made, NFL fans took to social media to react on the same.

Fans React Sharply to Sanders’ NFLPA Income From Sports Cards

Pat McAfee’s disclosure about a major part of Sanders’ NFLPA money coming from sports trading cards didn’t sit well with NFL fans who voiced their opinion under Pat McAfee’s post on X. 

“Is Nion Deon making backroom deals with the players association...Two players from the same college team both break tom brady record. Something smells funny,” commented a user.

Some of them took a dig at how Sanders has been a backup QB with the Browns and hasn't been a full-time starter.

“Definitely something going on here…17 mil….for a backup Qb,” added another.

During the Browns' preseason opener against the Panthers, when Sanders made his debut, that game drew an average of 2.237 million viewers. According to the NFL, it was the NFL Network's most-watched preseason game since 2015.

“Media hype is wild, isn’t it? Get people millions of dollars even if they s***,” wrote a fan who wasn’t impressed with Sanders’ performance in his rookie year with the Browns.

“Not bad for a guy who shouldn't be in the league,” said another.

Some credited Shedeur's success to his father, Deion.  

“He can thank ‘Daddy Slime,” posted a user calling out Sanders for making money off his Hall of Fame father.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore