Plenty of NFL players may be sporting new looks this season.
While the Bengals may have gotten new jerseys, others around the league may be getting new numbers.
The NFL passed a proposal on Wednesday that would loosen uniform number restrictions for certain positions, with single-digit jerseys now open to all offensive and defensive skill positions in addition to quarterbacks, punters and placekickers.
Officially, running backs, full backs, tight ends, H-backs and wide receivers can wear any number between 1-49 and 80-89 while offensive linemen can wear any number between 50-79.
On the defensive side, defensive backs can wear between 1-49 while defensive linemen can choose between 50-79 and 90-99. Linebackers can also wear 1-59 and 90-99.
Quarterbacks, punters and kickers remain at 1-19.
Many wide receivers and running backs wore single-digit jerseys in college and could decide to go back to those numbers.
Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, who wore No. 15 at Ohio State, teased a return to his old number earlier this month after wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and linebacker Jaylon Smith expressed an interest in reverting back to their old college numbers.
It's unknown if any of those players will go through with a switch, but a simple check of the Cowboys roster shows the small availability of single-digit numbers. No. 6, No. 8, and No. 9 are all available. No. 8, of course, will not be picked up by any player as the number was worn by Hall of Famer Troy Aikman. No. 9 is up for debate as it was last worn by Tony Romo. No. 6? Sounds like free game.
Players could also work out deals with other players to swap jersey numbers, etc. But in any case, it sounds like we won't see many switches this coming season because the NFL will require any player who changes their number to "but out the existing inventory of jersey distributors," Kevin Seifert of ESPN reported. However, if they wish to wait until next season, "there would be no requirement to buy out inventory."
Here’s the full breakdown of the new rule proposals, which also includes eliminating overtime in preseason games.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
