Report: Eagles submit proposal for new jersey number that hasn't been used in 50 years

In April 2021, NFL owners approved a proposal from the Kansas City Chiefs to expand the number of players who could wear single-digit numbers. Before the change, the only positions allowed to wear single-digit uniform numbers were kickers, punters and quarterbacks.

The Chiefs submitted their proposal after their franchise was running into a shortage of available numbers in the 20-49 range during 2020 season.

Ironically, Kansas City and Philadelphia squared off in Super Bowl LVII earlier this month, a 38-35 thriller won by the Chiefs.

The Eagles have retired nine player's numbers in their franchise's history: Donovan McNabb (No. 5), Steve Van Buren (15), Brian Dawkins (20), Tom Brookshier (40), Pete Retzlaf (44), Chuck Bednarik (60), Al Wistert (70), Reggie White (92) and Jerome Brown (99).

Per Kalyn Kahler of The Athletic, Philadelphia "and likely many others in the league, needs the No. 0 to provide some relief from crowding." She noted that Eagles stud wide receiver DeVonta Smith and Pro Bowl linebacker Haason Reddick both now wear single-digit numbers (No. 6 and No. 7 respectively).

Kahler added that the single digit "0" and the double digit "00" were in a rotation prior to 1973. According to the report, the proposal is "on the agenda" for the committee to look at this week.