Tag: No. 0

Commanders QB Marcus Mariota has a unique reason for wearing No. 0

Mariota explains why he chose to wear No. 0 in 2024.

When the Washington Commanders signed quarterback Marcus Mariota as a free agent in March, many believed it signaled their intentions to choose LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL draft.

Whether Mariota’s signing had anything to do with Daniels or not, you can’t deny the similarities between the two coming out of college. Mariota, like Daniels, was a No. 2 overall pick and Heisman Trophy winner. Unfortunately for Mariota, he’s now on his fifth team and has served mainly as a backup since the 2019 season.

Mariota started 13 games for the Falcons in 2022 but signed with Philadelphia in 2023 to serve as Jalen Hurts’ backup.

When Mariota signed with Washington, both of the jersey numbers he had worn in his career were already taken. Starting running back Brian Robinson Jr. has No. 8, which was Mariota’s number for every season but 2022. That year, Mariota wore No. 1 with the Falcons, but Jahan Dotson has that number for the Commanders.

That meant a new number for Mariota, and he opted for something that had never been done before. Mariota would be the first quarterback in NFL history to wear No. 0.

He explained his decision to choose that number after Washington’s OTA practice on Wednesday.

“Zero is something for me that’s just a reminder,” Mariota said via Zach Selby of commanders.com. “I’m in Year 10. People don’t think I can do it anymore. It’s just kind of a reminder every day of, ‘Nobody really gives you a chance.’ And it’s cool to be able to remind yourself.”

Mariota could be the perfect mentor for Daniels because he’s been in the rookie’s shoes. Washington clearly received good reports on Mariota from offensive assistant Brian Johnson, the Eagles offensive coordinator last season.

Washington fans do not want to see how much Mariota has left, and that’s not meant to be disrespectful toward him. Commanders fans are all in for Daniels and hope he can finally pull the franchise out of quarterback purgatory.

The Eagles are reportedly trying to get the No. 0 back on NFL jerseys

Do you want the No. 0 to return to NFL jerseys?

The Philadelphia Eagles are trying to bring back the number 0 as an eligible jersey number, per a new report from The Athletic’s Kalyn Kahler. 

Per Kahler, the NFL made a change to allow single-digit numbers to spread across a variety of positions in 2021. However, the Eagles might actually need No. 0 for logistical reasons because of that rule amendment.

“Philadelphia retired No. 5 and No. 15 for quarterback Donavan McNabb and halfback Steve Van Buren, respectively, and with so many positions now eligible to wear single-digit numbers (Eagles linebacker Haason Redidck wears No. 7 and receiver Devonta Smith wears No. 6) the team, and likely many others in the league, needs the No. 0 to provide some relief from crowding,” Kahler wrote.

Here’s more:

The single digit numeral 0 and the double digit 00 used to be in rotation before the NFL standardized jersey numbers in 1973 (Raiders center Jim Otto was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as No. 00).

For those who have long wanted for the NFL to do what the NBA does and allow their players to rock a “0” or a “00” on their jerseys, it looks like Philly is going to try and make it happen.

However, Kahler adds that there is no plan yet as to what the NFL will do to respond to the Eagles’ proposal:

The issue was on the agenda for the committee to review this week in Indianapolis. There’s no update yet on how the committee responded to Philadelphia’s proposal.

The NFL really should just allow the No. 0 to return to the league after such a long hiatus. It feels like a win-win situation that gives teams more logistical options for jersey numbers and gives fans a new way to add to their jersey collections. Let’s hope this rule goes forth sooner than later.

Jake Smith sports a new jersey number

Texas’ offense is set to have a breakout season. One of the candidates to have the biggest role is WR, Jake Smith, will have a new number.

Texas’ offense is set to have a breakout season with new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich. One of the candidates to play the biggest role is wide receiver, Jake Smith.

Dawning No. 16 during his freshman season, the now sophomore will have a new number on his jersey this season. Smith will be switching to No. 7 and sharing the number with junior safety Caden Sterns.

Smith caught 25 passes for 274 yards and six touchdowns last season. With Devin Duvernay off to the NFL, the sophomore is going to become Texas’ main slot receiver. He and Jordan Whittington will fight for playing time, but Smith has a year of experience.

The taking of No. 7 explains why graduate transfer Tarik Black will be wearing No. 0 for Texas. During his three seasons at Michigan, Black wore No. 7. Now, he will be the first player to ever sport the unique number for the Texas Longhorns.

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