Broncos rookie may need to pay up for jersey number

The Denver Broncos will enter the new season with the same core on offense, led by quarterback Bo Nix, wide receiver Courtland Sutton, running back JK Dobbins, and tight end Adam Trautman.

Nix suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the playoffs, but he is expected to be ready for training camp. The Broncos even added another target for Nix after acquiring wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in a trade with the Miami Dolphins in March.

For more firepower on offense and to ensure that the 26-year-old Nix is surrounded with adequate talent, the team selected running back Jonah Coleman in the fourth round of the recently concluded NFL Draft.

Coleman will essentially start from scratch with the Broncos, including possibly getting a new jersey number. Coleman wore No. 1 at Washington, but tight end Evan Engram already owns the number on the Broncos.

As a rookie, it would be difficult for Coleman to get it from the two-time Pro Bowler, who will enter his 10th season. But as pointed out by Broncos Wire’s Jon Heath, Coleman could pay Engram for the No. 1 jersey number.

“Unless Coleman can strike a deal with Engram and convince the tight end to change numbers again, the rookie running back won’t be able to wear No. 1 this season,” wrote Heath.

If Coleman ends up doing so, it won’t be the first time that it has happened in the NFL.

In 2024, wide receiver Stefon Diggs reportedly paid $100,000 to Jimmie Ward to have the No. 1 jersey when he was traded to the Houston Texans. In 2019, safety Jalen Ramsey reportedly paid $20,000 to Troy Hill to get the No. 5 jersey when he joined the Los Angeles Rams.

NFL players can be quite superstitious, and some will do anything to wear their favorite number.

Perhaps Coleman can offer Engram something other than money. Maybe wash his car for the entire year?

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