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Former Philadelphia Eagles Great Jason Kelce is not the fan of the Jersey numbers that defensive players can now carry.
In progress in the 2021 season, the NFL expanded the jersey numbers available to certain position groups. Kelce longing for the days when he could look at a jersey number and know what position a guy was playing.
“I like to look at a jersey and know without knowing that guy what position that guy was playing. There was something about the number that indicated the position you played,” Kelce said during a recent episode of “New Heights.”
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Jason Kelce speaks on stage under Amazon’s advance 2025 presentation at the Beacon Theater in New York City, New York, on May 12, 2025. (Slave Vlasic/Getty Images to Amazon)
“I f — ing hatred that NFL changed the rule of defensive linemen. I used to love these iconic numbers that defensive ends used to wear, linebackers used to wear, now I see one (defensive end) and he has at # 1 or No. 11.”
“I shouldn’t call No. 11, he’s an F-ing good player,” Kelce said, referring to Micah Parsons.
The defensive linemen is still limited to Nos. 50-79 and 90–99, but linebackers who are running on the line with review were given more options with their Jersey numbers. Previously, Linebackers were limited to Nos. 40-59 and 90-99, but now they can carry nos. 0-59 and 90-99.
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Philadelphia Eagles Former player Jason Kelce looks at prior to the game between Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 4, 2025. (Bill Streicher/Imag photos)
“I’m like f — turned off. Like wear # f — ing 98 or something similar. As if I’m not in this. If you’re a big body, you play the line with review, you have a big f — number. I don’t want to see this thin F — ing-in-in number bull —.”
Defensive backs were previously limited to Nos. 20-49, but can now carry no. 0-49.
“I don’t like it now the numbers mean nothing on the defense. Everyone can carry what F — they want, and then, when you are insulting, you still have non-eligible numbers,” Kelce said.
Jason Kelce waves for fans under the Super Bowl Lix Championship Parade and Rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 14, 2025. (KYLE ROSS/IMAGN -PICTURES)
On the offensive side of the ball, Quarterbacks are now also allowed to carry No. 0 beyond no. 1-19. Running Backs and Fullbacks were previously No. 20-49, but can now carry no. 0-49 and 80-89.
Wide recipients and tight ends are now both allowed to carry nos. 0-49 and 80-89. Wide recipients and tight ends were limited to Nos. 10-19 and 80-89 and Nos. 40-49 and 80-89.
Offensive linemen can still only carry nos. 50-79.
