The NFL has adopted another rules change surrounding jersey numbers.
In April of 2021, the Kansas City Chiefs proposed a rule to allow the expanded use of single-digit jersey numbers. That proposal was eventually approved, but now the league has voted to modify it even further.
The Philadelphia Eagles proposed a rule change this offseason to allow teams to use zero (“0”) as a jersey number. NFL owners have voted to approve this rule change, which means that a Chiefs player will wear the number 0 for the first time in 2023. Offensive and defensive linemen will be the only two position groups barred from wearing the number 0.
With Trent McDuffie and Joshua Williams switching their jerseys this offseason, it’d make sense for Jaylen Watson to join them. He previously wore the No. 0 jersey at Washington State.
In addition to this new jersey number rule, the league has expanded the jersey numbers which placekickers and punters can wear. They were previously only permitted to wear numbers 1-19. Now, they can use any jersey numeral between 0-49 and 90-99.
This change opens up the possibility of a specialist switching back to their college uniform as well. Tommy Townsend previously wore No. 43 at the University of Florida. Maybe, he’s not too interested in switching back, though.
— Tommy Townsend (@tommy_townsend) March 28, 2023
Nonetheless, there are plenty of possibilities for jersey numbers with the newly-implemented rules. We’ll just have to see how it all plays out for Kansas City.
