Football is a sport of inches — and numbers.
If you're an NFL fan, you may word some thing seems a chunk off when you're watching games this season: Receivers with single-digit numbers, going for walks backs with numbers within the 80s, tight ends with numbers inside the teens.
Your eyes don't deceive you: These are all valid numbers now for extensive receivers, tight ends and backs, with the NFL relaxing the regulations on which function agencies can wear positive numbers moving forward. While it could be a chunk discombobulating to look at, the reasoning at the back of the NFL's first major number rules exchange for the reason that 1970s is really a quite proper one.
Here's what you want to know approximately the NFL's modifications for the 2021 season:
What is the new NFL number rule?
For the 2021 NFL season, numerous position corporations — particularly extensive receivers, tight ends, going for walks backs — are getting sparkling number brackets, which means number alternatives for an character participant have nearly tripled.
Previously, only quarterbacks, punters and kickers could have single digit uniform numbers. Now, that group has been improved to encompass tight ends, huge receivers, going for walks backs and defensive backs.
Here's how the new variety groupings smash down:
| Position group | Number options | Previous number options |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterbacks | 1-19 | 1-19 |
| Running backs | 1-49, 80-89 | 20-49 |
| Wide receivers | 1-49, 80-80 | 10-19, 80-89 |
| Tight ends | 1-49, 80-89 | 40-49, 80-89 |
| Offensive line | 50-79 | 50-79 |
| Defensive line | 50-79, 90-99 | 50-79, 90-99 |
| Linebackers | 1-59, 90-99 | 40-59, 90-99 |
| Defensive backs | 1-49 | 20-49 |
| Kickers | 1-19 | 1-19 |
| Punters | 1-19 | 1-19 |
Why did the NFL change jersey numbers?
There are a few reasons why the NFL determined to trade the jersey mumber regulations. The chief purpose, though, comes from the team in Kansas City.
The sheer size of rosters (fifty three gamers in general, plus exercise squad gamers) can make it tough for groups to assign numbers to sure role companies, specifically for groups that have various retired numbers.
The Chiefs, who proposed the guideline alternate, have 4 numbers retired in the 20-49 quantity range: That variety grouping previously changed into reserved for walking backs, linebackers and shielding backs.
With COVID-19 changing roster guidelines in 2020 to include extended practice squad rosters, the restrictions on variety assignments prompted an trouble for the Chiefs and several different groups inside the NFL, main to the thought, which proprietors authorised in advance in 2021.
With the range brackets secure and improved, it opens up numerous more position businesses outdoor of QB, punter and kicker to have unmarried-digit numbers: Wide receivers, running backs and tight ends have significantly extended number options transferring ahead. The offensive and protective strains, though, might not get any adjustments. Same is going for punters, kickers and quarterbacks.
The wide variety exchange hasn't been customary through all: In reality, Tom Brady has been one of the greater vocal critics of the rule of thumb. Brady — whether he is just trolling in his antique age or he legitimately does no longer like the rule of thumb exchange — thinks the rule of thumb may want to complicate matters for offenses.
"Good good fortune seeking to block the proper human beings now !! !!," Brady wrote on his Instagram story while the rule of thumb trade surpassed. "going to make for loads of bad soccer."
How much does it cost to change an NFL jersey number?
Just as one truely does no longer stroll into Mordor, an NFL player surely does now not change his wide variety. The charge to for an NFL participant to alternate his wide variety is pretty hefty — depending on the player.
In order for an NFL player to trade his quantity for the upcoming season, he should buy out the prevailing inventory of retail-ready NFL jerseys; Meaning, any jersey ready to be offered at a Dick's Sporting Goods or Nike Store must be bought with the aid of the participant.
Dalvin Cook, who desired to exchange his number for the approaching NFL season, changed into tasked to pay $1.5 million, the price of the ultimate in-inventory jerseys throughout the u . S . A .. That wide variety deterred Cook from looking to trade from his No. 33, however he's predicted to exchange for the 2022 NFL season.
If a player wants to exchange his wide variety for a following season, with right notification to the NFL, he can trade his quantity without problem.
NFL number changes
Several players, mainly wide receivers, have changed their numbers for the upcoming season to take full advantage of the rules:
| Team | Player | Position | New number | Old number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | Chase Edmonds | RB | 2 | 29 |
| Arizona Cardinals | Isaiah Simmons | LB | 9 | 48 |
| Arizona Cardinals | Budda Baker | S | 3 | 32 |
| Atlanta Falcons | Russell Gage | WR | 14 | 83 |
| Baltimore Ravens | Marquise Brown | WR | 5 | 15 |
| Baltimore Ravens | Patrick Queen | LB | 6 | 48 |
| Buffalo Bills | Emmanuel Sanders | WR | 1 | 17 |
| Carolina Panthers | DJ Moore | WR | 2 | 12 |
| Chicago Bears | Eddie Jackson | S | 4 | 39 |
| Chicago Bears | Damien Williams | RB | 8 | 25 |
| Chicago Bears | Javon Wims | WR | 15 | 83 |
| Dallas Cowboys | Donovan Wilson | S | 6 | 37 |
| Dallas Cowboys | Jaylon Smith | LB | 9 | 54 |
| Denver Broncos | KJ Hamler | WR | 1 | 13 |
| Detroit Lions | Quinton Dunbar | DB | 1 | 22 |
| Detroit Lions | Mike Ford | CB | 2 | 38 |
| Detroit Lions | Tyrell Williams | WR | 6 | 16 |
| Detroit Lions | Jamie Collins | LB | 8 | 58 |
| Indianapolis Colts | Parris Campbell | WR | 1 | 15 |
| Los Angeles Rams | DeSean Jackson | WR | 1 | 10 |
| Los Angeles Rams | Robert Woods | WR | 2 | 17 |
| Los Angeles Rams | Jordan Fuller | S | 4 | 32 |
| Los Angeles Rams | Darious Williams | CB | 11 | 31 |
| Los Angeles Rams | Jalen Ramsey | CB | 5 | 20 |
| Miami Dolphins | Albert Wilson | WR | 2 | 15 |
| Miami Dolphins | Will Fuller | WR | 3 | 15 |
| Miami Dolphins | Lynn Bowden | WR | 6 | 15 |
| Miami Dolphins | Allen Hurns | WR | 8 | 17 |
| Miami Dolphins | Noah Igbinoghene | CB | 9 | 23 |
| Minnesota Vikings | Patrick Peterson | CB | 7 | 21 |
| New England Patriots | Jalen Mills | CB | 2 | 21 |
| New England Patriots | Ja'Whaun Bentley | CB | 8 | 51 |
| New England Patriots | Matt Judon | LB | 9 | 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 | 7 | 28 |
| Tennessee Titans | Julio Jones | WR | 2 | 11 |
Incoming rookies are the first class to benefit from the NFL jersey number change. Here are some prominent rookies who are taking advantage of the new numbers for the 2021 season:
| Team | Player | 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 | 1 |
| Cleveland Browns | Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | LB | 28 |
| Dallas Cowboys | Micah Parsons | LB | 11 |
| Denver Broncos | Patrick Surtain II | CB | 2 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Travis Etienne | RB | 1 |
| New York Jets | Elijah Moore | WR | 8 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | DeVonta Smith | WR | 6 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Joe Tryon-Shoyinka | LB | 9 |
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