Football Player Changes Jersey Over Again

NFL jersey number rules, explained: Why these players inverse numbers for 2021 flavour

Football game is a game of inches — and numbers.

If you lot're an NFL fan, you might notice something looks a bit off when you're watching games this season: Receivers with single-digit numbers, running backs with numbers in the 80s, tight ends with numbers in the teens.

Your eyes don't deceive yous: These are all legitimate numbers now for wide receivers, tight ends and backs, with the NFL relaxing the rules on which position groups tin wear sure numbers moving forward. While it can be a bit discombobulating to lookout man, the reasoning behind the NFL's first major number rules alter since the 1970s is actually a pretty adept 1.

Hither'south what you need to know about the NFL's changes for the 2021 season:

More: What to know about NFL's COVID vaccine rules in 2021

What is the new NFL number rule?

For the 2021 NFL season, several position groups — namely wide receivers, tight ends, running backs — are getting fresh number brackets, meaning number options for an individual player have nearly tripled.

Previously, only quarterbacks, punters and kickers could have single digit uniform numbers. Now, that grouping has been expanded to include tight ends, wide receivers, running backs and defensive backs.

Here'south how the new number groupings break down:

Position group	Number options	Previous number options
Quarterbacks	1-nineteen	1-nineteen
Running backs	1-49, 80-89	20-49
Wide receivers	1-49, 80-80	10-xix, 80-89
Tight ends	1-49, 80-89	40-49, 80-89
Offensive line	50-79	50-79
Defensive line	50-79, ninety-99	50-79, 90-99
Linebackers	i-59, xc-99	xl-59, xc-99
Defensive backs	1-49	20-49
Kickers	1-xix	1-19
Punters	1-nineteen	one-nineteen

Why did the NFL modify bailiwick of jersey numbers?

There are a few reasons why the NFL decided to change the bailiwick of jersey mumber rules. The principal reason, though, comes from the team in Kansas City.

The sheer size of rosters (53 players in total, plus practise squad players) can brand information technology difficult for teams to assign numbers to sure position groups, particularly for teams which have more a few retired numbers.

The Chiefs, who proposed the dominion alter, have four numbers retired in the 20-49 number range: That number group previously was reserved for running backs, linebackers and defensive backs.

With COVID-nineteen changing roster rules in 2020 to include expanded practice team rosters, the limitations on number assignments caused an effect for the Chiefs and several other teams in the NFL, leading to the proposal, which owners approved earlier in 2021.

With the number brackets relaxed and expanded, it opens up several more position groups outside of QB, punter and kicker to have unmarried-digit numbers: Wide receivers, running backs and tight ends have greatly expanded number options moving forwards. The offensive and defensive lines, though, won't get whatsoever changes. Same goes for punters, kickers and quarterbacks.

The number change hasn't been accepted by all: In fact, Tom Brady has been 1 of the more vocal critics of the dominion. Brady — whether he's merely trolling in his old historic period or he legitimately does not similar the rule change — thinks the rule could complicate matters for offenses.

"Skilful luck trying to cake the right people at present !! !!," Brady wrote on his Instagram story when the dominion change passed. "going to make for a lot of bad football."

MORE: Why NFL referees will phone call taunting penalties more than in 2021

How much does it cost to change an NFL jersey number?

Merely equally one simply does not walk into Mordor, an NFL player just does non alter his number. The cost to for an NFL player to change his number is pretty hefty — depending on the player.

In gild for an NFL player to change his number for the upcoming flavour, he must buy out the existing inventory of retail-ready NFL jerseys; Significant, any jersey ready to be sold at a Dick's Sporting Goods or Nike Shop has to exist purchased past the thespian.

Dalvin Melt, who wanted to change his number for the upcoming NFL season, was tasked to pay $1.5 meg, the price of the remaining in-stock jerseys across the country. That number deterred Cook from wanting to change from his No. 33, merely he'south expected to change for the 2022 NFL season.

If a player wants to alter his number for a following season, with proper notification to the NFL, he tin modify his number without issue.

NFL number changes

Here's the full list of players, mainly broad receivers, who have changed their numbers for the upcoming season to take full reward of the rules:

Team	Player	Position	New number	Old number
Arizona Cardinals	Hunt Edmonds	RB	2	29
Arizona Cardinals	Isaiah Simmons	LB	9	48
Arizona Cardinals	Budda Baker	S	iii	32
Atlanta Falcons	Russell Cuff	WR	14	83
Baltimore Ravens	Marquise Brown	WR	five	15
Baltimore Ravens	Patrick Queen	LB	vi	48
Buffalo Bills	Emmanuel Sanders	WR	one	17
Carolina Panthers	DJ Moore	WR	ii	12
Chicago Bears	Eddie Jackson	S	4	39
Chicago Bears	Damien Williams	RB	viii	25
Chicago Bears	Javon Wims	WR	fifteen	83
Dallas Cowboys	Donovan Wilson	Due south	6	37
Dallas Cowboys	Jaylon Smith	LB	9	54
Denver Broncos	KJ Hamler	WR	1	13
Detroit Lions	Quinton Dunbar	DB	i	22
Detroit Lions	Mike Ford	CB	2	38
Detroit Lions	Tyrell Williams	WR	6	16
Detroit Lions	Jamie Collins	LB	viii	58
Indianapolis Colts	Parris Campbell	WR	1	fifteen
Los Angeles Rams	DeSean Jackson	WR	1	10
Los Angeles Rams	Robert Forest	WR	2	17
Los Angeles Rams	Jordan Fuller	Southward	iv	32
Los Angeles Rams	Darious Williams	CB	11	31
Los Angeles Rams	Jalen Ramsey	CB	5	xx
Miami Dolphins	Albert Wilson	WR	2	15
Miami Dolphins	Volition Fuller	WR	three	15
Miami Dolphins	Lynn Bowden	WR	6	fifteen
Miami Dolphins	Allen Hurns	WR	viii	17
Miami Dolphins	Noah Igbinoghene	CB	ix	23
Minnesota Vikings	Patrick Peterson	CB	7	21
New England Patriots	Jalen Mills	CB	2	21
New England Patriots	Ja'Whaun Bentley	CB	eight	51
New England Patriots	Matt Judon	LB	ix	99
New York Giants	Sterling Shepard	WR	3	87
Philadelphia Eagles	Darius Slay	CB	2	24
Seattle Seahawks	Akhello Witherspoon	CB	2	23
Seattle Seahawks	Quandre Diggs	S	6	37
Seattle Seahawks	Carlos Dunlap	EDGE	8	43
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Leonard Fournette	RB	seven	28
Tennessee Titans	Julio Jones	WR	2	11

Incoming rookies are the first class to benefit from the NFL jersey number modify. Here are some prominent rookies who are taking reward of the new numbers for the 2021 season:

Team	Histrion	Position	Number
Arizona Cardinals	Zaven Collins	LB	25
Atlanta Falcons	Kyle Pitts	TE	8
Carolina Panthers	Jaycee Horn	CB	8
Cincinnati Bengals	Ja'Marr Chase	WR	i
Cleveland Browns	Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah	LB	28
Dallas Cowboys	Micah Parsons	LB	11
Denver Broncos	Patrick Surtain Ii	CB	ii
Jacksonville Jaguars	Travis Etienne	RB	ane
New York Jets	Elijah Moore	WR	8
Philadelphia Eagles	DeVonta Smith	WR	6
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Joe Tryon-Shoyinka	LB	9

Writer(s)

Joe Rivera is in his sixth year with Sporting News, handling NFL, MLB and some things pro wrestling. He is too a card-carrying BBWAA member and teaches Multimedia Sports Reporting at his alma mater, Rutgers University.

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Source: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-jersey-number-rules-2021-changes/gi7edb7zi2kn15fqulia6gkmw