After the NFL relaxed its rules on jersey numbers, several players switched to single-digit numbers – which wasn’t previously allowed for receivers, running backs and defensive backs. Cam Akers planned to change his number from 23 to 3 last season, but he decided to wait a year due to the cost he would’ve incurred to make the switch.
Well, he’s officially going back to his college number for 2022, switching to No. 3. The Rams announced the change on Wednesday, locking Akers in before a flurry of rookies join the team via the draft.
Back in 3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/yIs32kbXzN
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 27, 2022
Of course, the first question everyone asked in the replies was what this means for Odell Beckham Jr. Beckham wore No. 3 with the Rams last season while Akers was waiting to change his jersey number in 2022, so fans are wondering if this means Beckham won’t be back in Los Angeles.
In reality, it means nothing with regards to Beckham’s future with the Rams. Akers always planned to change to No. 3, saying “next year for sure” in a tweet last June. Had Akers changed to No. 3 last season, he would’ve had to buy out the remaining inventory of his jerseys. But because he waited a year, he won’t have to incur that cost.
Next year for sure
— Cam akers (@thereal_cam3) June 9, 2021
After Beckham signed with the Rams and picked No. 3, Akers even tweeted that it was a “temporary hold.” Adam Schefter of ESPN reported last year that Beckham agreed to wear No. 3 temporarily for 2021 and if he re-signed in the offseason, he’d switch to No. 13.
Temporary hold 💀…..3️⃣
— Cam akers (@thereal_cam3) November 14, 2021
