Dallas Cowboys announce jersey numbers for team newcomers, including new No. 21

The Dallas Cowboys assigned jersey numbers for their 2023 newcomers on Monday. Taking up the No. 21 mantle from running back Ezekiel Elliott is new cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

Gilmore has previously worn No. 5 with the Colts, No. 9 with the Panthers, and No. 24 with the Patriots and Bills. At South Carolina, he wore No. 5 as well.

Former Houston Texans wideout and new Cowboy Brandin Cooks will wear No. 3 on the offense. He was No. 13 at his previous stop, however, Dallas’ Michael Gallup already has that jersey.

Running back Ronald Jones, who most recently wore No. 2 for the Saints and No. 27 for the Buccaneers, will wear No. 32 for Dallas.

Jones spent one season in Kansas City in 2022, appearing in just six games and logging only 17 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown.

He had been far more productive in his four seasons with Tampa Bay, with a high-water mark of a 978-yard rushing campaign during the 2020 season. Jones also ran for 724 yards in 2019, as well as 428 yards in 2021. Despite playing for just five seasons so far in the NFL, Jones already has two Super Bowl rings.

Offensive line newcomer Chuma Edoga will wear No. 71 this season for the Cowboys. Edoga is fresh off of one season with the Atlanta Falcons, where he also wore 71. He’s capable of playing tackle and guard for the Cowboys, opening up options for the oft-injured position group.

Ezekiel Elliott requests old number back

Zeke Elliott has been mostly radio silent since the Cowboys released him last week after seven seasons with the team. He broke that silence last Thursday with a Tweet.

His first message was not an ode to his time in Dallas, but instead, a request, perhaps aimed at the team planning to pick up the new free agent for the 2023 season.

“I want my #15 back,” Elliott tweeted on Thursday afternoon. The former No. 21 for the Cowboys used to wear the No. 15 when he was the star running back for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

While in the 15 jersey with the Buckeyes, Elliott ran for 1,878 and 1,821 yards in 2014 and 2015, respectively. He also tallied a whopping 41 rushing touchdowns in that two-year span.

Elliott also posted on his Instagram story on Thursday, showing off an on-field workout with trainer Josh Hicks in Southlake, Texas.

After his tweet, Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill responded to the running back, telling him to join the Chiefs – his former squad. Unfortunately, the Chiefs already have a No. 15 on offense, one Mr. Patrick Mahomes.