When the NFL votes on rules during their spring meeting in May, one of the likely rules to pass will be the changing of number requirements. Currently, there are strict regulations on which positions can wear what numbers. The NFL put these rules in place during the 70s to help differ what positions players were. If the rule passes, the following number changes would be allowed:

• WR: 1-49 and 80-89 (previously 10-19 and 80-89)
• RB: 1-49 and 80-89 (previously 2-49)
• TE: 1-49 and 80-89 (previously 40-49 and 80-89)
• LB: 1-59 and 90-99 (previously 4-59 and 90-99)
• DB: 1-49 (previously 20-49)

Allowing single digits have been a request from both fans and players for several years, and the main push being that NCAA has very light restrictions on jerseys and recently allowed the number 0 to be worn. Also, it is evident who is playing what position, and it is far more difficult to cause trickery through jerseys than before.

Some Eagles players have been public advocates for the rule change. Darius Slay has recently been on Twitter supporting the amendment, wanting to switch his jersey from 24 to 2, having worn 9 with Mississippi State. Slay might not be the only one wanting to make a change. As it stands, only 2,3 and 9 are currently available. Jalen Hurts wears 1, Jake Elliott wears 4, 5 is retired for Donovan McNabb, Khalil Tate wears 6, Joe Flacco wears 7, and Arryn Siposs wears 8. 

Darius Slay has seemed to claim 2 publicly and at the same time said he doesn’t want to wear 9 due to Nick Foles. In the very likely chance someone wants to wear either 3 or 9, there’s a long list of possible candidates. Here is who you could expect to switch numbers potentially.

• Jalen Reagor (wore 1 at TCU)
• Travis Fulgham (wore 7 at Old Dominion)
• Greg Ward (wore 1 at Houston)
• Boston Scott (wore 6 at Louisiana Tech)
• Jordan Howard (wore 8 at Indiana)
• Shaun Bradley (wore 5 at Temple)
• Davion Taylor (wore 5 at Colorado
• Rodney McLeod (wore 4 at Virginia)
• K’Von Wallace (not single digit, but wore 12 at Clemson, which would be permitted with rule change)

With the sparse amount of single digits left, it is far more likely to see linebackers and corners wear jerseys in the teens instead if they wish to switch numbers. Hopefully, the vote will pass with the 24 required votes and bring an interesting twist to the 2021 season.

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