The NFL isn't quiet not even in the offseason. For the 2021 campaign, the league has already revealed many new changes, for instance, a huge reduction to the salary cap. Moreover, despite they didn't fulfill some teams' requests for adding a new umpire from the booths to review plays, they have allowed the replay official to assess the referees in specific plays that require video assistance.
Another measure taken by the organization was to give a relaxation to the jersey numbers rule, which restricted players of certain positions to a handful of number options. Since practice squads expanded, some teams complained about the limited amount of available numbers.
From now on, the league approved a change in this rule that will allow defensive backs, linebackers, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends to wear single-digit numbers. The NFL has stated, though, that those who desired to make a change this season would have to buy the whole inventory with their current numbers, but if they plan to do it for 2022, they wouldn't have to pay any fee. Many stars celebrated the news, while others like Tom Brady stood against it.
TB12 isn't happy with the single-digit new rule
Despite many players are already thinking about making the best of the possibility and changing their numbers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback expressed his concern with the new initiative, which he even called 'DUMB'. The five-time Super Bowl MVP stated that from now on the offensve may struggle to identify who the defensive backs and linebackers are. This is what Brady wrote on Instagram:
"Good luck trying to block the right people now!!!! going to make for a lot of bad football," he posted first while sharing the new allowed jersey numbers by position. Later, he went further and blasted against the league's decision:
"DUMB. Why not let the lineman wear whatever they want too? Why have numbers? Just have colored jerseys... why not wear the same number?... DUMB," he added.
The relaxation in the jersey rule allows quarterbacks, punters, and placekickers to use numbers 1 to 19, while defensive backs can wear 1 to 49 and running backs, full backs, tight ends, H-backs, and wide receivers can choose between 1-49 and 80-89. Moreover, offensive linemen from now on can use between 50 and 79, and defensive linemen from 50-79 and 90-99. Meanwhile, linebackers will be allowed to wear from 1 to 59, and between 90-99.
