Shedeur Sanders hits rare NFL feat while on the bench

Jeff Hauser

Shedeur Sanders hits rare NFL feat while on the bench image

The NFL Players Association’s latest jersey sales report has delivered a surprise that shows the big time presence of Shedeur Sanders. 

Despite entering the season as a rookie third-string "emergency" quarterback on the Cleveland Browns’ depth chart, "Grown" owns the fifth-best selling jersey in the league from March through July.

Sanders shares the Top 5 with some of the NFL’s most accomplished and recognizable names. Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, fresh off a record-setting Super Bowl season, leads the list. He's followed by his teammate Jalen Hurts, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, and Buffalo Bills star MVP Josh Allen. Sanders’ jersey outsold those of Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow, which are established household names who have carried franchises for years.

Sanders has yet to take a regular-season snap and his brand impact is sky high. Much of this momentum traces back to Sanders’ college career at Colorado, where his performances on the field gave him the title of Nike’s first college football signature athlete. 

As the son of Deion Sanders, he entered the NFL already carrying a built-in following, amplified by viral moments and a strong social media presence. Not to mention, his cultural crossover appeal that few rookies can match. 

Even as his jersey demand attention, fans are clearly buying into a story and a brand that represents a deep-rooted family legacy. The question now is sustainability. Sanders’ ability to remain near the top depends on opportunity.

If he remains stuck behind Cleveland’s starters, the novelty may fade. But his standing among the NFL’s most marketable players is undeniable, and for now, Sanders holds a place in a conversation typically reserved for the elites. Sanders' favorite go-to receiver, Travis Hunter, was just outside the top ten in the 11th spot. Not bad for a rookie duo.

Here's a list of the jersey sales for the Top 50 NFL players, per NFLPA.

1. Saquon Barkley

2. Jalen Hurts

3. Jayden Daniels

4. Josh Allen

5. Shedeur Sanders

6. Cooper DeJean

7. Patrick Mahomes

8. Lamar Jackson

9. Bo Nix

10. Jahmyr Gibbs

11. Travis Hunter

12. Caleb Williams

13. Cam Ward

14. Ashton Jeanty

15. Maxx Crosby

16. Jordan Love

17. Aaron Rodgers

18. CeeDee Lamb

19. Justin Jefferson

20. Justin Herbert

21. Joe Burrow

22. Mike Evans

23. DK Metcalf

24. T.J. Watt

25. Baker Mayfield

26. Malik Nabers

27. Puka Nacua

28. C.J. Stroud

29. Drake Maye

30. J.J. McCarthy

31. Brock Purdy

32. Aidan Hutchinson

33. Cooper Kupp

34. George Kittle

35. Derrick Henry

36. Travis Kelce

37. Amon-Ra St. Brown

38. Micah Parsons

39. A.J. Brown

40. Patrick Surtain II

41. DeVonta Smith

42. Ladd McConkey

43. Christian McCaffrey

44. Ja'Marr Chase

45. Bucky Irving

46. Brock Bowers

47. Fred Warner

48. Jalen Carter

49. Dak Prescott

50. Jared Goff

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Jeff Hauser

Jeff Hauser is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has over twenty years of experience and is a two-time Emmy Award winner, Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award voter. Among the events he has covered are the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, World Series, World Cup, and WBC Boxing. Hauser is a regular guest on FOX Sports and ESPN Radio. He previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, SB Nation and Athlon Sports.