The Cleveland Browns announced that quarterback Shedeur Sanders will return to wearing his iconic No. 2 jersey for the 2026 season. The former Colorado star wore No. 12 during his rookie campaign after being unable to secure his preferred number.
Sanders’ 2025 NFL season didn’t unfold as expected. After leading Colorado to nine wins in 2024, he was projected as a high first-round pick who would immediately compete for a starting role.
The draft slide that shocked everyone happened next.
Sanders experienced one of the most dramatic draft falls in recent memory. Most analysts projected him in the top 20, but NFL front offices had different plans. He eventually landed with Cleveland at pick No. 144.
His rookie season started slowly. Sanders sat behind veterans during offseason camps and didn’t see significant action until preseason. After the Browns traded Kenny Pickett to Las Vegas and Joe Flacco to Cincinnati, Sanders finally got his opportunity.
In eight starts, Sanders showed flashes of potential, including a 300-yard, three-touchdown performance against Tennessee. He also struggled with turnovers, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns while taking 23 sacks behind Cleveland’s porous offensive line.
New regime brings fresh optimism
The Browns hired Todd Monken as head coach, marking the third time Monken has pursued Sanders. Baltimore attempted to draft Sanders ahead of Cleveland’s pick when Monken served as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator. Monken also recruited Sanders to Georgia during his college career.
General manager Andrew Berry has made positive comments about Sanders and reportedly pushed for his selection in 2025.
Cleveland addressed the offensive line issues by adding four new starters in free agency.
The jersey number situation created controversy last year. Wide receiver DeAndre Carter claimed No. 2 when he signed before the draft, forcing Sanders to wear No. 12. Carter’s departure cleared the way for Sanders to reclaim his preferred number.
The return of “2Legendary”
Sanders wore No. 2 throughout his college career, where it became synonymous with his confident persona. The number gained significance after a pregame incident against Colorado State, when Rams players stood on Colorado’s midfield logo.
Sanders responded with his signature wrist-up gesture, which became both a personal celebration and rallying cry for fans. The gesture sparked the “2Legendary” brand that defined his Colorado tenure.
Browns fans remember No. 2 differently.
Cleveland supporters have painful memories associated with the number. Two previous quarterbacks wearing No. 2 produced disastrous results over the past 27 years, including Johnny Manziel in 2014.
Manziel represented one of the franchise’s biggest draft busts after Cleveland selected him despite character concerns.
Monken addressed the quarterback competition at the owners’ meetings this week, stating that reps won’t be split evenly. He specifically mentioned that “how things ended last year will be a factor,” suggesting Sanders enters 2026 with momentum.
The coaching change appears significant for Sanders’ development. The previous staff rarely acknowledged his contributions, while Monken has actively pursued him multiple times.
Sanders retired No. 2 at Colorado, cementing its importance to his identity.
The return to his signature number signals Sanders’ confidence entering his second season. Whether it marks the revival of the “2Legendary” persona that made him a college star remains to be seen.
For Sanders fans, the jersey change represents more than aesthetics. It’s the return of the quarterback who led Colorado’s resurgence and captured national attention with his play and personality.
Cleveland’s offensive improvements and coaching change provide Sanders with better circumstances than his rookie year. The combination could determine whether No. 2 becomes associated with success or continues the number’s troubled Browns legacy.
