Shedeur Sanders has joined the Cleveland Browns for the 2025 NFL season. Just a few days after his arrival, the quarterback made an unexpected decision—one that includes a subtle message to Tom Brady.
Things haven’t gone smoothly for Sanders in recent weeks. He entered the 2025 NFL Draft as a top quarterback prospect but surprisingly wasn’t selected until the fifth round.
Despite already drafting a quarterback, the Browns used their 144th overall pick to select Sanders. He will now compete with four other players for the starting job, marking his first major challenge at the professional level.
Shedeur Sanders forced by Browns into surprising career decision
Sanders had an outstanding college career with the Colorado Buffaloes. As a result, many scouts ranked him as the second-best quarterback prospect in this year’s draft class, behind only Cam Ward.
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Once Ward was selected with the No. 1 overall pick, most analysts expected Sanders to go shortly after—possibly in the first round. But as the first 32 picks came and went, Sanders remained on the board.
Several quarterbacks were taken ahead of him before the Browns finally called his name at No. 144. Now, he faces stiff competition to earn the starting job—an uphill battle that will test his resolve early in his NFL career.
Determined to prove why he was once seen as a top prospect, Sanders is embracing the challenge. And in his first days with the team, he made a bold decision—one partially influenced by the Browns and carrying a quiet nod to Tom Brady.
Shedeur Sanders was a 4th round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft
On Tuesday, the Browns announced that Sanders will wear jersey No. 12. The number carries significant weight for a quarterback, as it was famously worn by Tom Brady throughout his legendary NFL career and it is one of Sanders’ favorite players.
Why didn’t Shedeur Sanders choose No. 2 for his Browns jersey?
During his time at Colorado, Sanders wore No. 2—a number that became part of his identity. However, that option wasn’t available in Cleveland.
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Wide receiver DeAndre Carter, who signed with the Browns earlier this offseason, was assigned No. 2 upon his arrival. With that number off the table, Sanders opted for No. 12—giving fans a new number to wear as they support him during his rookie campaign.
