Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes II is a guest on this week’s Monday Night Football “ManningCast” where he joins former NFL quarterback Tom Brady in speaking out against the league Recent changes to jersey number rules.
“(Reading defenses) is even crazier now because everybody can wear single digits,” Mahomes told Peyton and Eli Manning. “We actually go every week and we put a lot of emphasis on those numbers because when you have a number like No. 7 on a middle linebacker, it really messes with your judgment on the O-line guys.”
“It looks cool, and I’ll give it to everybody,” the Chiefs superstar admitted, “but it’s a little tough on the quarterback.”
Tom Brady calls 2021 jersey number change a ‘silly rule’
Like Mahomes, Brady is very clear about how he feels about the jersey number rule change in 2021, he’s just not as diplomatic about it.
‘Feeling very strong about it,’ former Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal caller Tell reporters on September 7, 2021adding: “I don’t want to be a part of it, I’ve talked about it disgustingly, and other than that I think it’s a stupid rule.”
The “disgusting” conversation Brady referred to at the time was an exclusive interview with Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
“The number rule is crazy,” Brady told Stroud in September 2021. “Literally, people changed numbers today. The two guys I played against in the preseason had different numbers. So, yeah, you have to watch film and know who you’re studying, and the same goes for the running backs. They have to Know who to block. So does the offensive line. So does the receivers who adjust their routes based on the blitz.”
“So one guy got a six, one guy got an 11, one guy got a nine,” the legendary quarterback continued to explain. “When you break routes and get to your spots, they’re going to change every play. “It’s going to be a very challenging thing. “
Brady concluded that the rule was “a good advantage for the defense” at the time.
More than two years later, Mahomes apparently agreed.
“You get these rotation guys, you get a 40-something linebacker and a single-digit linebacker,” Mahomes reasoned on ManningCast. “Having to really realize that (it’s difficult offensively) as soon as possible.”
Chiefs propose changing original jersey numbers
Mahomes is in a bit of trouble on this one because the Chiefs were a big part of this rule change in the first place.
“The Chiefs have reportedly proposed that the league expand jersey number options at certain positions,” paraphrased Charles Goldman of USA Today’s Chiefs Wire on April 1, 2021.
“This change will allow running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, linebackers, linebackers and defensive backs to wear single-digit numbers,” he added at the time.
No, this is not an April Fool’s joke from Goldman Sachs and KC. As we later learned, this change had actually already occurred.
Buffalo Bills beat reporters Sal Capaccio Details Specific proposals from April 2021.
“The Kansas City Chiefs have proposed expanding jersey number options at certain positions,” Capaccio shared on X (formerly Twitter). “Suggested numbers: QB/P/K: 1-19, RB/FB/TE/WR: 1-49 and 80-89, OL: 50-79, DL: 50-79 and 90-99, LB: 1 –59 and 90–99, DB: 1–49.”
Mahomes and Brady may have a point here — overall quarterback production has declined in recent years — but most new NFL rules generally impact defenses, so a change that helps balance the scales It feels fair.
Despite opposing jersey numbers, the Chiefs’ fearless leader ranks second in the NFL in total quarterback rating in 2023. Whether or not the league chooses to address this rule change, he should be fine.