Former Houston Texans wide receiver Deandre Carter landed a new opportunity earlier this offseason, signing a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns. The 32-year-old spent the 2024 season with the Chicago Bears and he hopes to make the 53-man roster in Cleveland.
However, Browns fans are already not pleased with Carter after the team unveiled the jersey numbers for the free-agent signings and rookies. The veteran receiver and return specialist will wear No. 2 in Cleveland, which didn’t seem like a problem.
The last time Carter wore No. 2 was in college at Sacramento State, so it makes sense why he chose it instead of No. 11, which he had last year, or No. 14, his number with the Texans.
That said, Browns fans weren’t happy with his choice, as that jersey number could’ve gone to rookie QB Shedeur Sanders. Sanders, who was taken in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, picked the No. 12 for his rookie season.
The No. 12 jersey has been worn often in Browns history. Veteran safety Rodney McLeod was the last guy to have that number. The guy before that was journeyman quarterback Jeff Driskel (former Texans QB too) in 2023.
While 12 isn’t a bad number, fans wanted to see Sanders wear No. 2, which he wore during his collegiate career at Jackson State and Colorado.
That said, there’s always a chance the rookie quarterback could change his number after his rookie season, especially with Carter being on a one-year deal.
Houston fans might not remember Carter’s time with the ballclub, as he joined the team during the 2018 season. The veteran receiver appeared in seven games during that season and was re-signed for the 2019 season.
Carter had 11 receptions (14 targets) for 162 yards, while also spending some time on special teams. He was re-signed for the 2020 season but was waived in November of that year.