clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Which uniform numbers will Steelers players switch to if the jersey rule is changed?

Jersey rules could change, so how ill it affect the Steelers?

Arkansas State v USC Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

The NFL rules committee is expected to loosen uniform rules in the coming weeks. With it makes single digits available to a litany of position groups (sorry lineman). If free agency didn't wreak enough havoc to your jersey collection, then league wide number switching will surely do the trick. As for the Pittsburgh Steelers, a number of players wore single digits in college and might be willing to make the switch back to those old threads in the pros.

The rule change was proposed by the Kansas City Chiefs, who ran out of usable uniforms last year and had three different players appear in number 30. Due to the expansion of the practice squad, which still isn't expected to shrink, this was becoming a necessary rule change.

Before we get into the players that may want to switch, we have to look at the numbers that are not available. The numbers which players appear invested in are digits 1-19, so lets start there.

1. Unclaimed
2. Mason Rudolph
3. Dwayne Haskins
4. Jordan Berry
5. Unclaimed
6. Unclaimed
7. Ben Roethlisberger
8. Corliss Waitman
9. Chris Boswell
10. Unclaimed
11. Chase Claypool
12. Unofficially Retired (Terry Bradshaw)
13. James Washington
14. Ray-Ray McCloud
15. Cody White
16. Unclaimed
17. Unclaimed
18. Diontae Johnson
19. JuJu Smith-Schuster

So, who are some Steelers who could change jersey numbers?

Florida State v North Carolina State Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images

Jaylen Samuels is fighting for his NFL career entering his fourth training camp. He may flourish in Matt Canada’s system, and maybe a new number can signify a change of on field play. Samuels can rock hissed number one.


Syracuse v Maryland Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images

The first name you may think of is Joe Haden, who made the number five famous back at the university of Florida, but Haden has already said he won't be switching his number again. Instead, I think it’s Anthony McFarland would switch back to his college digits. McFarland is expected to take a big step this year and a new number might do him some good.


Michigan v Wisconsin Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Devin Bush could be the biggest name player to switch digits. Coming off an ACL tear Bush could mark his comeback by going back to an old number. Bush did decided to wear 55 because 5+5=10 after all.


For the most part Steelers players just don’t have old numbers available to them. Big time jersey sellers won't be changing for the sake of changing either. So, don’t expect too many crazy swaps. But what do you think? Which players will switch their numbers? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments below.