Peyton Manning set the precedent when it comes to borrowing retired jersey’s when he donned Frank Tripucka’s #18 for the first time in decades. Champ Bailey’s number 24 is not officially retired, but it should be.
So when Adam Jones was signed last week, it was reported that he wouldn’t be getting a crack at Bailey’s old number 24. And for good reason. Champ Bailey is likely entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year in his first year of eligibility after spending most of his career in Denver as his generations greatest lockdown cornerback.