Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse no longer planning to switch to No. 0 jersey

Following the NFL’s rules change over the offseason for jerseys, Dallas Cowboys veteran safety Jayron Kearse was planning to make the switch from his No. 27 jersey to No. 0 for the 2023 season.

However, when the safety took the field on Thursday for OTAs, he was still in No. 27.

Apparently, things didn’t quite go as planned. After practice, Kearse told reporters why the switch didn’t happen.

“There were some logistical things that we weren’t able to work out, so I’m still 27,” Kearse said, via Jon Machota.

Swapping jersey numbers in the NFL means the player switching must buy back the inventory of jerseys with the old number. With that in mind, it’s possible that Kearse decided it wasn’t worth it to become the first Cowboys player to ever wear No. 0.

After the team initially announced that he was switching, his No. 27 jersey went on sale at most retailers. It seems some lucky Cowboys fans got a great deal for a now still-current jersey.

In 2022, the safety posted 77 tackles, an interception, two sacks, and 14 tackles for loss. The former seventh-round pick out of Clemson is entering the final year of his contract this season. He originally signed a one-year deal for $1.12 million before getting a new deal for two years and $10 million.

Kearse has worn No. 27 since he joined the league with the Vikings in 2016. He had to switch to No. 42 during his one season with the Lions but returned to 27 with the Cowboys. At Clemson, he wore No. 1.

NFL owners approve proposal allowing players to wear No. 0

The NFL owners have approved a proposal that allows players to wear the No. 0 moving forward. The proposal was put forth by the Philadelphia Eagles. It is the second major change to roster numbers in the past three seasons after the NFL owners relaxed jersey number designations ahead of the 2021 season. A number of team executives gave their thoughts on the latest number rule change.

“I don’t think there was any discussion, and we voted,” Falcons president/competition committee co-chair Rich McKay said.

“This is one thing that could help us in that challenge, because we do have some players that tend to like the single digit,” McKay said. “Numbers are more problematic than they’ve ever been, so this one had very little pushback.”

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley has already announced he will wear No. 0 for this upcoming season.

On3’s Justin Rudolph contributed to this report.