NFL fans aren’t thrilled over the news that Ezekiel Elliott is changing his number.
The former Ohio State standout returned to the Dallas Cowboys this week after a brief stint away from the team. If you’re a Cowboys fan who used to own a Zeke jersey, congratulations: You have one less piece of clothing to worry about.
Depending on how you feel about that, Wednesday’s news that Elliott plans to change his number could have an effect on you. Positive or negative.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the news that Elliott will revert back to his No. 15 jersey he wore while he attended Ohio State University.
“In his second stint in Dallas, Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott now will go back to wearing No. 15, the same number he wore at Ohio State,” Schefter wrote. Schefter also noted that Trey Lance, who had the No. 15, will switch to No. 19 in a corresponding move.
There’s nothing wrong with this move. We’ve seen players change their numbers before and it will surely happen again. However, considering how much was made about the reunion, it is kind of seedy to see them pull this off.
You hope that jersey exchanges will be a thing because it makes little sense to hype up a reunion and not lean into the reunion aspect. Cowboy fans probably already have Elliott jerseys by the droves because of how well he played at first during the first go-around. To make people buy new jerseys with a new number can be argued as a cash grab, and it would be tough to argue against.
The NFL world had plenty to say about this piece of news.
Not a more annoying team in this league than the Cowboys, huge media spotlight for a washed player and a team that hasn’t made it to the NFC championship in nearly 30 years. https://t.co/79gYQ8zORk
— New Era Seahawks (@CoffeeSneeze) May 1, 2024
So NFL shop gonna replace my 21 jersey for the new one? It’s only right @NFL @dallascowboys @EzekielElliott https://t.co/heVK1Nmjoc
— Dre Emerson (@drizzbrah_) May 1, 2024
Just gonna make those fans buy new jerseys to eventually burn.
Yuck. https://t.co/9dPgIX1vRs
— Jay Leadfoot
(@JayLeadfoot) May 1, 2024