The jersey switch is part of a broader Browns rollout detailing notable offseason acquisitions on both sides of the ball.
Sanders wore No. 12 in his rookie campaign because No. 2 was held by DeAndre Carter; with Carter no longer with the team, No. 2 is now Sanders’. Sanders carried No. 2 at Trinity Christian High School, Jackson State, and Colorado, where the Buffaloes retired the number after his departure.
The move had been teased by Sanders and the team for weeks, including social media posts showing the new number on Browns gear and supportive comments from his family.
NFL rules generally require a player changing numbers to buy out remaining inventory of the old number, and Sanders’ No. 12 was among the league’s top-selling jerseys last season. A possible offset or sponsorship arrangement could mitigate any cost due to his new No. 2, given the expected sales boost.
On the field, No. 2 carries mixed history for Cleveland. Amari Cooper produced back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in this number, while Sanders enters a three-way quarterback competition with Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel after his rookie showing: seven starts, 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a Pro Bowl nod as a replacement.
The Browns released a full slate of new numbers for the team, including No. 5 for linebacker Quincy Williams, No. 11 for Tre Avery, No. 24 for Daniel Thomas, No. 27 for Myles Bryant, No. 93 for Kalia Davis, No. 99 for Julian Okwara, No. 15 for Tylan Wallace, No. 85 for Isaiah Wooden, No. 89 for Jack Stoll, and offensive-line numbers for Tytus Howard (71), Elgton Jenkins (74), Zion Johnson (77), Teven Jenkins (78), Kendrick Green (53), and punter Nik Costantinou (30). The Browns will hold voluntary veteran minicamp starting April 21.
