When Shedeur Sanders got drafted by the Cleveland Browns, I was holding my breath wondering if he'd wear the same jersey number he made iconic in Boulder—No. 2.
But for Browns fans, obviously that number brings flashbacks of a different era haunted by Johnny Manziel. Shedeur celebrating being drafted in a nightclub didn't help those comparisons either.
Just saying.
But thank God, Sanders won't be donning the #2 jersey.
According to the Browns official rookie number release, Shedeur will wear No. 12. That might not seem like a big deal to casual fans, but to Cleveland diehards, it matters. They probably feel that the No. 2 in that city is cursed. It’s a reminder of the circus that was Johnny Football—off-field drama and busted expectations. Something Shedeur needs to steer away from.
Shedeur isn’t that guy. He’s never been that guy. And wearing the same number would’ve made it way too easy for national media and Browns fans to start drawing lazy, unfair comparisons.
Sanders was billed by most as a first-round talent, but he ended up falling to the fifth round. Why? Well, the whispers weren’t about his ability—they were about the pre-draft interviews, the spotlight, the "baggage." Whether fair or not, the narrative was rooted in the failed career outcome of Johnny Manziel.
Now, entering Cleveland as a developmental QB behind Joe Flacco and maybe Dillon Gabriel, Sanders has a golden opportunity: keep your head down, earn your stripes, and let your game do the talking.
Choosing No. 12 instead of forcing some power move to grab No. 2, shows maturity and self-awareness.
WR DeAndre Carter currently holds the No. 2 jersey. And Carter’s spot on the 53-man roster isn’t guaranteed. If he gets cut this summer, No. 2 could suddenly be up for grabs again.
Here’s my take: don’t touch it Shedeur.
Stay far away. Stick with 12 since you compared yourself to Tom Brady this past season. Shedeur’s got enough eyes on him already, and the last thing he needs is to stoke unnecessary drama.
The Manziel shadow is long in Cleveland. No need to invite that circus into the room.
If Sanders wants to carve out his own story—and I believe he can—it starts with the little things. And this was a good first step.
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