This past April, NFL owners passed a rule allowing for players to have more freedom when choosing their numbers. In particular, offensive skill players such as running backs, tight ends, and wide receivers will be allowed to wear any number ranging from 1-49 and 80-89. Defensive backs and linebackers are allowed the same privileges except numbers for linebackers range from 1-59 and 90-99 and numbers for defensive backs range from 1-49.
Although some players such as Tom Brady vocalized against the league-wide number rule because of how difficult it would be to identify players, many were jubilated because of the new rule.