How a Chiefs player’s jersey number can clue you into his position on the field
It’s not random or by chance that Patrick Mahomes wears number 15 while Chris Jones wears number 95. On the Chiefs, and every other NFL team, official rules restrict which numbers players can wear based on the position they play.
The rulebook requires football players to wear specific numbers to help game officials identify the players’ positions and to ensure that they are lined up properly before each play. If there’s an illegal formation on the offensive or defensive side, it results in a 5-yard penalty.
NFL jersey numbers were first standardized by position groups in 1973, but these standards have evolved over time — in part thanks to the Chiefs in recent years.
During the 2020 season, practice squads expanded, and some teams didn’t have enough jersey numbers for certain positions. As a result, the Chiefs submitted a proposal to the NFL Competition Committee in 2021, which asked to allow defensive backs, tight ends, wide receivers, running backs, fullbacks, H-backs and linebackers to choose from a wider range of available numbers, including single digits.
It’s why rookie breakout receiver Xavier Worthy is able to rock No. 1 on the field.
Before the 2021 season, these positions could only select double-digit numbers. With the exception of wide receivers — who could pick numbers 10 through 19 — the remaining positions had to select a number above 20.
After the committee approved the change in April 2021, the Philadelphia Eagles submitted a proposal in 2023, which added zero to the roster of available jersey numbers too.
Here’s the breakdown of positions and numbers available to players as of the 2023 season:
Quarterbacks: 0 to 19
Punters and placekickers: 0 to 49 and 90 to 99
Defensive backs: 0 to 49
Running backs, fullbacks, and H-backs: 0 to 49 and 80 to 89
Tight ends: 0 to 49 and 80 to 89
Wide receivers: 0 to 49 and 80 to 89
Offensive linemen: 50 to 79
Defensive linemen: 50 to 79 and 90 to 99
Linebackers: 0 to 59 and 90 to 99
This story was originally published January 17, 2025 at 6:30 AM.
