Browns QB Shedeur Sanders switching to No. 2 jersey for 2023 season

Sanders wore No. 15 as a rookie, but is reverting to his longtime college and high school number.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:28pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fractured, multi-angled form of a football quarterback in action, with the player's jersey number 2 as the central focus rendered in bold, angular shapes.Shedeur Sanders' switch to the iconic No. 2 jersey signals a fresh start for the young Browns quarterback as he battles for the starting job.Cleveland Today

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders will be wearing the No. 2 jersey next season, switching from the No. 15 he wore as a rookie. Sanders has worn the No. 2 jersey dating back to his days at the University of Colorado, Jackson State, and Trinity Christian High School in Texas. The number change could be an attempt to give Sanders a fresh start after an up-and-down rookie campaign.

Why it matters

Sanders is expected to compete with Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel for the Browns' starting QB job this offseason, so his jersey number change could be a symbolic move as he looks to solidify his role with the team.

The details

Sanders wore No. 15 last season, with former Browns wide receiver DeAndre Carter previously wearing No. 2. With Carter no longer on the team, Sanders was able to switch to his preferred number. Sanders is now the latest Brown to wear the No. 2 jersey, following players such as former wide receiver Amari Cooper and former quarterbacks Johnny Manziel, Tim Couch, and Bailey Zappe.

  • Sanders wore No. 2 dating back to his days at the University of Colorado, Jackson State and Trinity Christian High School in Texas.
  • Sanders wore No. 15 during his rookie season with the Browns in 2022.

The players

Shedeur Sanders

The Cleveland Browns' second-year quarterback who is expected to compete for the starting job in 2023 after an up-and-down rookie season.

Deion Sanders

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

Deshaun Watson

The Browns' starting quarterback, who Shedeur Sanders will compete with for the starting job this offseason.

Dillon Gabriel

The Browns' third-string quarterback, who will also compete with Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson for the starting role.

Todd Monken

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

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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 this offseason.

The takeaway

Shedeur Sanders' jersey number change to No. 2 is a symbolic move as he looks to solidify his role with the Browns and compete for the starting quarterback job in 2023 after an up-and-down rookie season.