Quarterback Shedeur Sanders was one of the most polarizing figures of the 2025 NFL Draft. There was controversy regarding where Sanders should be selected, with many believing he should go in the first round, while others saw him as a Day 2 prospect.
The Cleveland Browns selected Sanders in the fifth round after the team had already selected Dillion Gabriel in round three. This has sparked talks over whether Sanders will see any playing time in his rookie year since the team also has Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Deshaun Watson on its roster.
Now, Sanders is again making headlines, this time for his jersey number. He wore the number two while he was playing for the Colorado Buffaloes, and many expected the Browns to give him the number; however, when they announced their rookie jersey numbers, Sanders had 12.
Fans React to QB Shedeur Sanders Wearing 12 During the 2025 Season
The Browns are allowing wide receiver DeAndre Carter to wear the number two if he makes the team. Carter has been a journeyman in the NFL since going undrafted in 2015.
Supporters of Sanders and Browns fans took to X to express their surprise and disbelief. Many feel that Sanders should have been given the number over Carter, while others think Sanders is paying homage to Tom Brady.
DraftKings posted, “Shedeur Sanders with 12 just like another QB who was a late round pick in the draft.”
Shedeur Sanders with 12 just like another QB who was a late round pick in the draft 👀 pic.twitter.com/IDc4yOQicr
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) May 6, 2025
Another Browns fan posted, “Honestly, I’m disappointed Shedeur Sanders won’t be able to wear his classic #2 for his rookie year – but 12 is a great number (TB connection, reversed Deion’s 21)”
Shedeur’s father, Deion Sanders, is an NFL legend and Hall of Famer. He played both professional football and baseball and is the only player to ever play in both a World Series and a Super Bowl.
“What are the odds Shedeur Sanders sticks with 12? Not going to lie, Sanders rocking T12’s number is fire but if DeAndre Carter doesn’t make the roster does Sanders switch back to 2?” asked a Browns fan on X.
What are the odds Shedeur Sanders sticks with 12? Not going to lie, Sanders rocking TB12’s number is 🔥 but if DeAndre Carter doesn’t make the roster does Sanders switch back to 2? https://t.co/l1S1GC0Nm1
— Minnesota Browns Fan (@mnbrownsfan) May 6, 2025
“They really gave Shedeur Sanders 12,” wondered another fan.
They really gave @ShedeurSanders #12 pic.twitter.com/XpYolrnuMH
— Mr WATSON (@ChillDW4) May 6, 2025
A HBCU sports podcaster known as SheLovesThee on X can’t even take the Browns seriously, “Cleveland Browns has the #1 top selling rookie jersey in all of the NFL and instead of maximizing the momentum you don’t give Shedeur Sanders his number? This is an unserious organization.”
Cleveland @Browns has the #1 top selling rookie jersey in all of NFL and instead of maximizing the momentum you don’t give Shedeur Sanders his number? This is an unserious organization https://t.co/9hyHaUOOxg pic.twitter.com/6s1rMFT9wT
— SheLovesThee (@SheLoves_THEE) May 6, 2025
Analyst Ari Meirov reminds fans in his post that these initial jersey numbers are subject to change before the regular season.
With No. 2 taken by DeAndre Carter, the #Browns say Shedeur Sanders will wear No. 12—for now. All jersey numbers can still change before the regular season. pic.twitter.com/JcBf4QSuZt
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 6, 2025
At least one Browns fan is happy that Sanders is going to be rocking 12, “Shedeur Sanders trains with Tom Brady. Love him choosing #12.”
Shedeur Sanders trains with Tom Brady.
Love him choosing #12. 👀pic.twitter.com/7oRXBNXmaB
— Nick Karns (@karnsies817) May 6, 2025
Lawrence Jackson Jr. from NBC Sports loves the change for Sanders and thinks fans should too in a now-deleted tweet, “Browns fans should love the fact that Shedeur Sanders is #12 – new beginnings – he is an underdog now. Brady was 12 and it’s 21 flipped. I fw it.”
While the speculations surrounding Sanders are unlikely to stop anytime soon, the world will just have to wait to see what number he ultimately wears and if and when he will start.
Really? This is worth writing and reading? Maybe you should cut back to once a week and provide some real news.
Leave the fluff to he NFL channel.
Rob.