Safety Rodney McLeod wore No. 12 for the Browns last season. The last quarterback to wear No. 12 in Cleveland was Jeff Driskel who started one game in 2023. Colt McCoy, Luke McCown, Vinny Testaverde and Josh Gordon also wore No. 12 with the Browns.

Sanders' new number has been worn by various players, including quarterbacks and receivers. Notable former Browns players to wear No. 12 include Josh Gordon, Don Cockroft, and Vinny Testaverde. Heading into rookie minicamp, the Cleveland Browns have revealed that Shedeur Sanders will be moving onto No. 12 in the NFL.

The Cleveland Browns announced that former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders will no longer wear his "Legendary" No. 2 jersey but will instead wear No. 12. Sanders, who fell to the Browns in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft, will don the same number as his idol and mentor, Tom Brady.