Thoughts on new Denver Broncos players jersey numbers
The Denver Broncos are reporting for voluntary OTAs, which means players got issued new jersey numbers. Here are some thoughts on those numbers.
The Denver Broncos have voluntary OTAs starting this week, and while Chris Harris Jr. will not be in attendance as his contract dispute lingers on, many new faces — and jersey numbers — will be.
The Broncos announced some new uniform numbers issued to new players and some changes to jersey numbers being worn by players who were already with the team.
New Players (from the team site)
QB Joe Flacco: 5
WR Aaron Burbridge: 13
WR Fred Brown: 19
CB Kareem Jackson: 22
CB Horace Richardson: 27
CB Bryce Callahan: 29
CB De’Vante Bausby: 41
CB Craig Mager: 49
G Don Barclay: 67
T Ja’Wuan James: 70
Returning players
QB Garrett Grayson: 2 (formerly 5)
WR Brendan Langley: 12 (formerly 27)
CB Isaac Yiadom: 26 (formerly 41)
G/C Sam Jones: 77 (formerly 70)
Here are my thoughts on some of the notables.
Kareem Jackson — 22
This is a good number in Denver’s font and jersey scheme. CJ Anderson famously wore 22 with the Broncos as they won Super Bowl 50, and wore that number from 2013-2017. Tramaine Brock kept it warm last year and now Jackson will get a chance to etch his own history for the next three years wearing that number.
Horace Richardson — 27
This number is historic for the Broncos for a couple of reasons. It was worn by team legend Steve Atwater through the 1990s and he became one of the best safeties the league has ever seen wearing this number.
Darrent Williams also wore 27 before he was tragically shot and killed. Richardson, a Texas native (like Williams) paid homage to Williams on his Instagram page when he announced he was going to be wearing 27.
Bryce Callahan — 29
I’m not sure how I feel about this one. I love the addition of Callahan, but the 29 doesn’t quite do it for me. I didn’t care for it on Bradley Roby, either.
De’Vante Bausby (41) and Isaac Yiadom (26)
I hope you didn’t already buy your Isaac Yiadom jersey last year. Yiadom switches to number 26, formerly worn by starting safety Darian Stewart, while Bausby gets the number he wore in the AAF.
Brendan Langley — 12
This is the only jersey signifying a position change among this group. Langley is moving from number 27 to number 12 and also from defense to his natural offensive position of wide receiver.
This will be fascinating to watch and I don’t doubt with Langley’s speed and athleticism that he can make a splash this offseason.