New Cleveland Browns defensive end Chase Winovich has quickly attempted to endear himself to the fanbase. Brought over in a trade with the New England Patriots, the defensive end helps fill a void across from Myles Garrett. If the season started today, Winovich would likely be the team’s other starting defensive end.
In three years with the Patriots, the former Michigan Wolverine had 11 sacks. All of those sacks came in his first season while his playing time fell off greatly in 2021. For the Browns, trading special teamer/linebacker Mack Wilson for a player who can rush the passer made a lot of sense.
As a Wolverine, Winovich quickly sought to connect with the Ohio fanbase of the team he was joining by asking them to pick his number:
As a gesture of love and respect towards the fine ppl of Ohio, Ohioans please take this moment to decide my number for this upcoming season:
— Chase Winovich (@Wino) March 19, 2022
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The results were overwhelming from the almost 50,000 votes on Twitter. Today, the team announced that the poll indeed decided Winovich’s new number:
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 6, 2022
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Not officially announced but other new Browns have reportedly selected their numbers as well:
New #Browns numbers:
Amari Cooper: 2
Deshaun Watson: 4
Jacoby Brissett: 7
Jakeem Grant: 9
Corey Bojorquez: 13
Chase Winovich: 69
Taven Bryan: 99— Brad Stainbrook (@StainbrookNFL) April 6, 2022
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Of note, Odell Beckham Jr.’s former number in Cleveland, #13, is now gone while Chase McLaughlin, recently re-signed, had #3 last year which was Beckham’s number with Los Angeles. While it means very little, it is interesting given the speculation that he could return.
Winovich did a nice job of connecting with the Ohio fanbase with the jersey number decision but needs to keep that connection when he gets on the field.