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$1.1 Million Shedeur Sanders Update Emerges After Browns’ Quarterback Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hugh Green | Last updated Nov 24, 2025 4:26 PM ET

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders made the first start of his NFL career on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders and was successful. Sanders led the Browns to a 24-10 victory, which was their first win since Oct. 19, as he went 11-of-20 passing for 209 yards and one touchdown with one interception.

Sanders started in place of fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, who missed the game due to concussion protocol. Before missing this game, Gabriel started six games for the Browns, going 1-5 in those starts. On the season, he has completed 59.2% of his passes for 937 yards and seven touchdowns with a pair of interceptions.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) passes against the Las Vegas Raiders.Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

On Monday, according to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport, the head coach Keven Stafanski and the Browns have decided to keep Sanders as the team's starting quarterback moving forward after his impressive performance against the Raiders on Sunday.

This decision from Cleveland comes even though Gabriel has cleared concussion protocol and is available to play the Browns' next game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Sanders, who was drafted with the 144th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, signed a four-year, $4.6 million contract with the Browns before the season. With Sanders becoming the starter for the Browns, he now has the lowest average salary among current starting quarterbacks in the NFL, according to Spotrac.

At $1.1M, Shedeur Sanders holds the lowest average salary among current QB1s.

Prescott, $60M
Allen/Burrow, $55M
Lawrence/Love, $55M
Tagovailoa, $53.1M
Goff/Purdy, $53M
Herbert, $52.5M
Jackson, $52M
Hurts, $51M
Mahomes/Cousins, $45M
Stafford, $42M
Smith, $37.5M
Darnold, $33.5M…
— Spotrac (@spotrac) November 24, 2025

Dallas Cowboys 10th-year quarterback Dak Prescott tops the list of signal callers, as he is getting paid $60 this season, as opposed to Sanders' $1.1 million average salary.

While Sanders had a good showing in his first career start, he and the rest of the Browns are in for a much tougher matchup on Sunday when they take on the 49ers at 1 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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