Browns QB Shedeur Sanders changing jersey to No. 2 next season

Sanders wore No. 15 in his rookie year but is returning to his familiar number.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:56pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Browns quarterback in action, with sharp, overlapping planes of orange and brown colors representing the team's uniform.Shedeur Sanders' number change signals a new chapter in his young NFL career as he competes for the Browns' starting QB job.Cleveland Today

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders will be wearing No. 2 on his jersey for the 2026 NFL season, switching from the No. 15 he wore as a rookie. Sanders has worn the No. 2 jersey dating back to his college and high school days, and is making the change after former Browns wide receiver DeAndre Carter, who previously wore No. 2, is no longer on the team.

Why it matters

Sanders' number change could be an attempt to give him a fresh start after an up-and-down rookie season with the Browns. Despite making the Pro Bowl, he is expected to compete with Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel for the starting quarterback job under new head coach Todd Monken.

The details

Sanders wore No. 2 dating back to his days at the University of Colorado, Jackson State and Trinity Christian High School in Texas. He wore No. 15 during his rookie season with the Browns, with former wide receiver DeAndre Carter previously wearing No. 2. With Carter no longer on the team, Sanders was able to make the switch to the number, which was worn by wide receiver Amari Cooper and former quarterbacks Johnny Manziel, Tim Couch and Bailey Zappe.

  • Sanders wore No. 15 during his rookie season with the Browns in 2025.
  • Sanders will wear No. 2 for the 2026 NFL season.

The players

Shedeur Sanders

The Cleveland Browns quarterback who is switching his jersey number from 15 to 2 for the 2026 season.

Deion Sanders

Shedeur Sanders' father and the head coach of the University of Colorado, who posted about his son's number change on Instagram.

Todd Monken

The new head coach of the Cleveland Browns, who has expressed admiration for Shedeur Sanders and said he wanted to draft him when he was coaching in Baltimore.

Deshaun Watson

The Browns' quarterback who Shedeur Sanders is expected to compete with for the starting job.

Dillon Gabriel

The Browns' quarterback who Shedeur Sanders is expected to compete with for the starting job.

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What they’re saying

“Yes Lawd! #2 is who he is, now let the church shout Amen!”

— Deion Sanders, University of Colorado head coach

“Thank you GOD”

— Shedeur Sanders

“legendary”

— Shedeur Sanders

What’s next

Sanders is expected to compete with Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel for the Browns' starting quarterback job during the offseason.

The takeaway

Shedeur Sanders' number change to No. 2 represents a fresh start for the young quarterback after an up-and-down rookie season, as he looks to solidify his role as the Browns' starting QB under new head coach Todd Monken.