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NFL Faces Backlash Over Shedeur Sanders Announcement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Audilet | Last updated May 7, 2025 10:12 AM ET

Shedeur Sanders was once considered an early Day 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft. But when the selection process rolled around earlier this offseason, the Colorado quarterback prospect slid all the way down into the fifth round.

Sanders went off the board with the Cleveland Browns' No. 144 overall pick. The son of NFL legend Deion Sanders was the Browns' second quarterback pick of the draft, trailing Oregon's Dillon Gabriel (No. 94 overall).

Sanders now joins a busy QB room in Cleveland, featuring Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and Gabriel. It's clear the 23-year-old signal caller has a long way to prove himself as a viable starting QB option in the eyes of the Browns franchise.

On Tuesday, the Browns announced the jersey numbers for their 2025 rookie class.

Sanders, who wore the No. 2 throughout his collegiate career, will now wear the No. 12 in Cleveland.

new digits for our new additions pic.twitter.com/dxt8Gv2cnA
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 6, 2025

The NFL also took to social media to announce Sanders' new jersey number — a decision that didn't sit right with some fans.

.@ShedeurSanders will be wearing No. 12 for Cleveland.

(via @Browns) pic.twitter.com/klW7idmiUz
— NFL (@NFL) May 6, 2025

"The 144th pick in the draft is getting more manufactured attention than 1st-143rd pick in the draft. Dude is like 5th in his own QB depth cart... Maybe give a bit more love to the 143 others drafted in front of this guy," one fan wrote.

"What number is the 143 pick wearing ? Just asking," another added.

"The NFL hasn’t posted a rookie jersey number in some time… interesting choice for the first one," another said.

"They literally drafted Dillon Gabriel earlier and they didn't announce his jersey number LMFAO. This is ridiculous. Sanders is gonna be the most hyped backup QB we've ever seen," another wrote.

No other players drafted to the Browns who received their jersey numbers today too?

No?

Ok, just checking.
— Doctor Disney (@Doctor_Disney) May 6, 2025

Veteran wide receiver addition DeAndre Carter will wear No. 2 for the Browns this coming season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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