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The number 2 wasn’t just a jersey for Shedeur Sanders—it signified a legacy. His father, Deion Sanders, wore it during his rise at Florida State, and Shedeur picked up that torch at Jackson State, then carried it to Colorado, where the number was eventually retired. It became his identity. Born in February, the second son of Deion and Pilar, and the centerpiece of a media machine named 2Legendary, he swore he would wear it in the NFL. “I’m not wearing another number, bro. It’s two and that’s it,” he had promised in December.

But then reality hit. When the QB finally came off the board—after 143 names were called ahead of him—the Browns turned in the card. And suddenly, the ‘No. 2 or nothing’ quarterback had to reconsider. Turns out, No. 2 was already on someone else’s back in Cleveland. DeAndre Carter, the team signed this offseason, claimed it before Shedeur ever walked in the building. The Browns didn’t budge.

Carter donned No.2 during his time at Sacramento State until 2014. Post that, he signed with Baltimore as an undrafted free agent in 2015. So while he will wear No.2, HC Kevin Stefanski didn’t step in to force a change. Instead, when the rookie minicamp opens, Shedeur Sanders will take the field wearing a new number assigned to him. Here is the list of jersey numbers their rookies will be wearing, as announced by the team:

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  • QB Dillon Gabriel — 5
  • RB Quinshon Judkins — 10
  • QB Shedeur Sanders — 12
  • RB Dylan Sampson — 22
  • LB Carson Schwesinger — 49
  • TE Harold Fannin Jr. — 88
  • DT Mason Graham — 94

However, in their announcement, the Browns shared something interesting. “Jersey numbers are subject to change during the offseason before the beginning of the 2025 season,” a statement on their website read. So it looks like Shedeur might still have a chance to get No.2. And if there is a slight chance of doing so, he might pounce at it. After all, his jersey was the top-selling one among all 2025 draft picks (based on orders through the Fanatics’ full network of sites, NFLShop.com, and the Browns’ online store). Since Shedeur didn’t have a jersey number up until now, these jerseys were going to be made and sold once the number was made public. But hey, 12 isn’t bad either!

If you’re doing the math at home, yes—12 is 21 backwards. A subtle nod to dad? Maybe. Deion Sanders wore the number 21 during his NFL career. When he was drafted by the Falcons in 1989, he chose 21, and sure, he played for them for only five seasons, but his legacy has stayed. As the leader of ‘2 Legit 2 Quit’, he recorded 24 interceptions and over 4,000 return yards with five return touchdowns while he was with them. Or No.21 could be a deeper flex for Shedeur.

Because while Sanders won’t wear the same number his father or his college self made iconic, he now inherits a number that lives at the center of NFL mythology. Tom Brady wore 12. Shedeur has worked out with him, leaned on him for guidance. He’s not Brady, but he knows the significance. And if No. 2 was the ego, No. 12 might be the growth arc. Well, it sure was for TB12 after getting picked as the 199th overall.

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Bob Scott

Who cares. He will be cut before the start of the season.

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Still, Cleveland isn’t exactly the ideal backdrop for a quarterback trying to flip the script on public perception. This is a market with a long and ugly history, with the number Sanders once swore he’d never give up. Tim Couch. Johnny Manziel. Both wore No. 2 in Cleveland. Both were busts. Alas, both became cautionary tales. Stefanski knows this. The Browns know this. And whether anyone wants to admit it or not, keeping Sanders in No. 12 might be less about locker room logistics and more about optics.

Of course, rookie jersey numbers aren’t permanent. Come final roster cuts in August, and there could be a lot of changes. That opens the door for a quiet switch back to No. 2 for Shedeur. But Stefanski’s early decision is a line worth watching. The Browns aren’t rolling out a red carpet.

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Can Shedeur Sanders be the no. 1 DAWG in the Dawg Pound?

Shedeur Sanders is not walking into Berea as the savior. He’s walking in as QB5. Behind Deshaun Watson (if he recovers from Achilles). Behind Kenny Pickett. Obviously, behind Joe Flacco. And yes, behind Dillon Gabriel. So the obvious question is: Can Shedeur climb that ladder?

But before all that, we must not forget that Shedeur nearly went undrafted. Had it been the case, he would have gone back to Colorado. Or at least, that’s what we expected. However, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, there were real legal conversations about Shedeur heading back to Colorado. No joke. Jeffrey Kessler, the big-name antitrust lawyer who’s currently taking swings at NASCAR, was reportedly interested in challenging NCAA rules that would’ve blocked Sanders’ return.

Still, a return to Boulder would’ve been wild. ‘Coach Prime’ had already reset the table as he invested nearly $2 million into a new QB duo in five-star Julian Lewis and Liberty’s Kaidon Salter. If Shedeur had rolled back in, it would’ve disturbed CU’s entire recruiting credibility. Now, Shedeur’s eyes are locked on May 9-11, rookie minicamp. And per ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi, he could be in the QB1 conversation. He cited that the HC will allow him an opportunity to compete for the position.

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The Browns have started a league-high 40 quarterbacks since their 1999 reboot. If there’s a team that screams QB chaos, it’s Cleveland.

Browns GM Andrew Berry doubled down last week. “We felt like it got to a point where he was probably mispriced relative to the draft… It’s a guy that we think can outproduce his draft slot.” Well, Shedeur really shouldn’t care about all the talk at this point because even if it is how Stephen A. Smith said, that it was the NFL’s scheme to push him down, he has an opportunity to prove and stand on that legendary brand.

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Debate

Can Shedeur Sanders break the Cleveland QB curse and become the next legendary No. 12?

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