Former [Colorado Buffaloes](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/colorado) quarterback Shedeur Sanders did not have the 2025 season he expected. After a nine-win season in 2024, he was projected as a high first round draft pick. Any NFL team's QB1 early in camp and establish himself as the team's franchise quarterback moving forward.
However, during the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders experienced the greatest slide in history. The overwhelming majority of draft analysts and media personalities projected him somewhere in the top 20 of the NFL Draft. The problem with that was NFL front offices did not agree. Last year, the 'why' of his draft slide was debated ad nauseum.
The story of Sanders' rookie NFL season did not start the way he likely wanted. A relative afterthought during offseason camps, Sanders would not see significant reps until preseason. After a Kenny Pickett trade to Las Vegas, an eventual Joe Flacco trade to Cincinnati, and a sample size of games from fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur then got his shot.
In eight games, Sanders had some bright spots, including a 300-yard and three touchdown game against Tennessee. The end result of 2025 was a mixed bag, but one that fans should be optimistic about. More interceptions than touchdowns and efficiency stats gave spectators plenty to talk about in the offseason.
Also, Shedeur gave fans something else to talk about this week.
Shedeur Sanders will bring back No. 2 for 2026
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Just after the draft and while fan frustration was high, it was revealed that Sanders would not be wearing his customary No. 2 jersey in Cleveland. Many fans were immediately outraged believing this jersey news was pouring salt in a previously established wound. As it turned out, free agent WR/KR DeAndre Carter had claimed the No. 2 jersey when he was signed, before the NFL Draft.
Whether it was a lack of first team reps in camp, waiting for his turn, or the head coach that rarely acknowledged his existence (who was fired after the season), there was plenty that didn't go the way Shedeur or his fans expected. In 2026, a good number of those factors have changed.
New Browns head coach Todd Monken, on the surface, seems to be very interested in Shedeur Sanders the quarterback. After the draft, news broke that Baltimore attempted to draft Sanders ahead of pick No. 144 when Monken was the Raven's OC. Previously, Monken attempted to recruit Sanders to Georgia. Making Monken to the Browns the 3rd time Monken has been interested in coaching Sanders.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry has said complimentary things and seems to be the source behind "who wanted to draft Shedeur" in 2025. The Browns have also added four new offensive linemen in free agency, almost completely rebuilding an offensive line that contributed to Sanders getting sacked 23 times in just eight games.
The Browns quarterback has only ever worn No. 2 with the exception of 2025 when he wore No. 12. It seems enough factors have slanted back to Sanders' favor that he is ready to bring back No. 2 and move away from the inverted number his Dad wore.
Does this mark the return of 2Legendary
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Throughout Shedeur's collegiate career the word "Legendary" was said often. That concept only became more frequent after a pre-game infringement vs CSU. Before a game against Colorado State, the Rams players kept standing on the Buffalo logo at midfield. Something Sanders took exception to.
During that situation, Sanders flexed the now famous wrist up gesture. That gesture became a Sanders celebration and a rallying cry for his fans. It also sparked a deeper CU vs CSU rivalry that still exists today. Due in large part to comments the former CSU head coach made disparaging Coach Deion Sanders' mother Connie Knight.
The Shedeur fans saw in 2025 was not the Shedeur Colorado fans were familiar with. To some a jersey number is just a jersey number. To many Sanders fans, it represents the return of the Shedeur they know and love.
For established Browns fans though, the return of No. 2 on a quarterback is not unconditionally good news. Also, it's the number he retired at Colorado.
Browns fans have a bad history with the No. 2
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Now that DeAndre Carter is no longer on the roster, the No. 2 is available, and Sanders plans to reprise his customary look. This news has been unconditionally well received by the Sanders and Colorado Buffaloes fans. It is a slightly different reaction in some Cleveland Browns fan circles.
The No. 2 in brown and orange is not something that instills a great deal of confidence in long time Browns fans. There are two No. 2s in the last twenty-seven years that led to deplorably bad play and fan PTSD. The first name represents a dark time for the franchise, and the second name represents arguably the biggest draft bust in franchise history, which is saying something.
**More:** [We now know how Bill Belichick really feels about Hall of Fame snub](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/north-carolina/news/we-now-know-how-bill-belichick-really-feels-about-hall-fame-snub/ff25ea2e40d61ef061fd699e)
When the Browns came back in 1999, they employed a failed strategy of getting the franchise quarterback before building up the surrounding positions first. An concept that plagued the franchise for the better part of 20 years. In 2014 the Browns drafted Johnny Manziel. Manziel was essentially a problem child since day one and never put in the level of work necessary to be successful.
Browns head coach Todd Monken said this week at the owner's meetings that quarterback reps will not be split evenly. Specifying "how things ended last year will be a factor". Providing even more optimism for the Sanders camp. The only remaining question is, will this mean the return of the on-field, confident persona of "2Legendary". The Shedeur alter ego that is born from the same logic that produced Deion Sanders' "Prime" persona.
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