The owners officially approved a change yesterday that will allow players at every position to have access to a wider range of numbers for their jerseys, for the first time since I frankly don’t know when giving skill position players as well as defensive backs, for example, the opportunity to wear numbers in the single digits. They had previously been reserved for quarterbacks, kickers, and punters.
With the rule change now in the books, this opens things up for all incoming players, as well as all players changing teams. Those who are already currently on a team also have the ability to change their numbers if one is available—though they may have to pay for it.