Cowboys' Schottenheimer Vents About Players Wanting to Change to Single-Digit Jersey

Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer has more important things to worry about than jersey numbers as he prepares for the 2025 campaign, but he still has thoughts about so many players wanting to be in the single digits.

"Well, I would say, it's not silly, but I do think it's something that's new, and even experienced head coaches probably have to deal with it, and that's these damn single-digit jersey numbers that all these guys want," he said in a piece by Mike Jones of The Athletic that published Monday.

"And again, our philosophy is very simple: We don't get involved in that stuff. The players have to work it out. Why? Because we don't value any player more than another player. But certainly, the league didn't do us any favors when they said that really anybody except for offensive linemen and defensive linemen can be in these low numbers, because everybody thinks those single-digit numbers look really cool."

The NFL approved a rule in 2021 that expanded the numbers available for most positions after some teams did not have enough numbers available when practice squads expanded in 2020. It then approved another rule in 2023 that allowed more positions to wear the No. 0.

Here is a look at the rules for the different positions:

• Quarterback: 0-19
• Punters and placekickers: 0-49 and 90-99
• Defensive backs: 0-49
• Running backs, fullbacks and H-backs: 0-49 and 80-89
• Tight ends: 0-49 and 80-89
• Wide receivers: 0-49 and 80-89
• Offensive linemen: 50-79
• Defensive linemen: 50-79 and 90-99
• Linebackers: 0-59 and 90-99

According to the Cowboys' official roster, each of the single-digit numbers except for No. 8 are taken by players that include quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver George Pickens:

• No. 1: Jalen Tolbert, WR
• No. 2: Juanyeh Thomas, S
• No. 3: George Pickens, WR
• No. 4: Dak Prescott, QB
• No. 5: Bryan Anger, P
• No. 6: Josh Kelly, WR
• No. 6: Donovan Wilson, S
• No. 7: Traeshon Holden, WR
• No. 9: KaVontae Turpin, WR

This is Schottenheimer's first season as a head coach, but he was in the league prior to the number rule changes. He was an offensive coordinator for the New York Jets from 2006-11, the St. Louis Rams from 2012-14, the Seattle Seahawks from 2018-20 and the Cowboys the last two seasons.

Dallas elevated him to head coach this offseason, which immediately put him under a bigger spotlight as the team attempts to bounce back from its 7-10 record in 2024.

Part of the issue last season was injuries limited Prescott to just eight games.

The Cowboys will need him and his single-digit number on the field far more often in 2025 if they are going to be a threat in the playoff race.