Patrick Peterson, Minnesota Vikings cornerback, and Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams cornerback, are just a few of the NFL's stars who have made a switch to numbers that are not traditional for their positions. Jaylon Smith, Dallas Cowboys linebacker, is also a new addition.
The league eased its restrictions on positional numbersing earlier in the year, allowing players from almost all position groups to swap their old numbers for one digit (sorry linemen).
The new numbers represent many things, including a fresh start after a disappointing season or a way to honor family members or pay tribute to high school and college glory days.
The exchange was free for players who were drafted to new teams. For players who remained with their teams, however, the NFL rules required that a player purchase inventory of his current jersey to make an immediate change. This payout was sometimes six figures.
The changes in numbers at ESPN's NFL Nation were fascinating, but so was the explanation. Here's what we discovered.
No. No.
2021 Change: 3
Baker wore the No. Baker wore No. 32 during college at Washington. He started his NFL career wearing No. 36, and then switched to No. 32. 32. The appeal of No. Baker stated, "I can have my legacy in a way and have my number," Growing up, I really enjoyed 3." However, it wasn't easy to get rid of his inventory. Baker stated that it cost him a lot. -- Josh Weinfuss
No. No.
2021 Change: 1
Callaway wore No. In high school, Callaway wore No. Saints safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, a former Florida rival, also stated that he wanted No. Callaway stated that he initially thought No. 1 would be a good choice, as he believed we would have a wide receiver/DB match. Gardner-Johnson was able to change his mind. Mike Triplett
Carlos Dunlap, EDGE, Seattle Seahawks
No. No.
2021 Change: 8
Dunlap wore No. After being traded last October, Dunlap wore No. The Seahawks have retired number 96, which he wore while playing with the Bengals. He has now switched to Florida's number. "I felt it was a sign. It was an opportunity in Year 12, with the 12s. I was No. 12 years ago. It just felt right to my heart that I was No. 8 twelve years ago." -- Brady Henderson
No. No.
2021 Change: 3
Farley stated that No. Farley said that his mother loved the number 3. "I had to pray about it. Farley said that it was her favorite number, and my mother's number, so it has a lot meaning for me." Farley's mother Robin died from cancer in 2018. Farley in No. It is interesting to note that Farley wore No. 3 as a rookie because Mike Vrabel, head coach, makes rookies earn their keeps. For example, he lists them lower in the depth chart. Farley also wore the number at Virginia Tech. Turron Davenport
Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette wears No. 7 to represent New Orleans' 7th Ward neighbourhood. Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images
No. No.
2021 Change: 7
Fournette hails from New Orleans' 7th Ward. Fournette stated, "That's where my family was born and raised." That's all I am. This is what I stand for. It's a way for me to give back to the place I grew up in and to show how special it is to me. It was a special number to me in college, so I'm like "Why not wear it again?" It was a very special number for me in college so I thought why not make it again? -- Jenna Laine
No. No.
2021 Change: 1
Hamler said it was a throwback from his Penn State days. While he showed great game-changing speed in his rookie season with the Broncos in 2020, he spent much of last year dealing with a persistent injury to his hamstring. He hopes the move to No. He hopes that the switch to No. 1 will lead to a better year. Jeff Legwold
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No. No.
2021 Change: 8
Ingram was looking for a new start after he arrived in Pittsburgh. The No. 8 can have a double meaning. He said, "New place, New start." "It's still me. My number 44 was my first ever football game. 4+4 is 8 and Kobe [Bryant] has always been one of my favorite players. -- Brooke Pryor
No. No.
Change 2021: 4
Jackson changed because he wore No. As an Alabama standout, Jackson wore No. Jackson, 27 years old, smiled when asked if the new number made him feel younger. -- Jeff Dickerson
No. No.
2021 Change: 1
Johnson Jr. stated that he was seeking a "fresh start" and a new number, and that he wanted to be a part of Houston's pro football history. "[I] wanted [to be] one of the first to [wear No. He said, "I wanted to be one of the first ones [to wear No. 1] here beside Warren Moon." -- Sarah Barshop
No. No.
2021 Change: 7
Jones wore No. Jones wore No. 7 in high school as well as college. Gruden, the Raiders' coach, told Jones that he was not comfortable with switching numbers. Jones countered by quoting Raiders legends Fred Biletnikoff and Cliff Branch (No. Cliff Branch (No. 25) and Jones countered with Raiders legends Fred Biletnikoff (No. 21. Jones stated, "He was kinda stunned." Soon after, No. His number 7 was shortly thereafter. -- Paul Gutierrez
No. No.
2021 Change: 9
Judon chose the No. 9 number at Grand Valley State to match his Grand Valley State attire. 9 also for another reason. "I have nine brothers and sisters. They are my representatives every time I go out. This is why I love it. I decided to change the rule because ninety-nine had been taken. -- Mike Reiss
No. No.
2021 Change: 1
McKinnon is playing his first season with Chiefs but he wore No. McKinnon wore No. 28 in 2020 for the 49ers. He is the Chiefs' only player to wear a non-traditional number for his position. He wore No. He wore No. -- Adam Teicher
Jalen Mills CB, New England Patriots
No. No.
2021 Change: 2
Mills will honor his uncle by switching the switch. This was my uncle's favorite number. Although he wasn't a huge sports fan, he watched me play whenever I was playing. He was a great person and I wanted to be that for him." -- Mike Reiss
No. No.
2021 Change: 2
Moore's switch dates back to his childhood in little league, when he was a 5-year old and won a championship while wearing it. It looks great on him and is therefore worth the investment. -- David Newton
No. No.
Change 2021: 4
Moseley stated that the number is a family custom. "No. 4 is my family number. I wore No. 4. My cousin wore No. 4 and 4. My brothers wore 4. That's why I was compelled to accept the number that became available. -- Nick Wagoner
Patrick Peterson, CB, Minnesota Vikings
No. No.
2021 Change: 7
Peterson wore the No. The number 7 was worn by Peterson in high school and college, and it has sentimental value. "I wanted to rock No. 7. It felt like 7, was my number. You know what I mean, 21 is Deion [Sanders]'s number. It was like I made 7 people known in high school and college. It's obvious. The guys at LSU wanted No. 7 It felt like it was my number." Courtney Cronin
Robert Woods, a Rams wide receiver, used to wear No. 17 was worn by Jalen Ramsey, cormerback, while No. 20. AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo, File
Jalen Ramsey, CB, Los Angeles Rams
No. No.
2021 Change: 5
Ramsey wanted number 2. Ramsey wanted No. 2, which he described as a reminder of his second life. Robert Woods was his teammate. Ramsey explained, "If you look at 5, in the mirror it [it] comes back to 2." "Then, 5, is like a number that balances, just like the Bible has five commandments for God and five for people. Lindsey Thiry
Isaiah Simmons, LB, Arizona Cardinals
No. No.
2021 Change: 9
After his rough rookie season, Simmons wanted to get a fresh start. He believed a new number was the best thing. He stated that he did not have an attachment for No. 48 was the number he chose after the Cardinals selected him in the first round. -- Josh Weinfuss
Jaylon Smith, Cowboys' linebacker, paid six figures for the change from No. 54 to No. 9 in this season. AP Photo/LM Otero
Jaylon Smith, LB Dallas Cowboys
No. No.
2021 Change: 9
Smith wore No. Smith, who wore No. 9 at Notre Dame high school and in high school, feels a connection to the number. This is why he chose No. 54 -- 5 + 4 equals 9 initially. To buy the remaining stock of No. 54 jerseys and T-shirts were purchased, even though the remaining 9 would have been for free next season. "No. Smith stated that 9 is a part me. -- Todd Archer
No. No.
Change 2021: 4
Walker, who was wearing 54 at the time with the Indianapolis Colts most recently, changed his number from 54 to 4. This was Walker's number when he led his peewee team to a championship as a quarterback. Jake Trotter
Robert Woods, WR, Los Angeles Rams
No. No.
2021 Change: 2
Woods jumped at the chance to wear No. 2 is the number that Woods wore in high school and youth football in Los Angeles, as well as at USC. It is a special opportunity to wear it at the NFL level, right here in Los Angeles. It brings back memories for many people, including me. Lindsey Thiry
