Bears safety Eddie Jackson will sport a new look this season, changing jersey numbers from No. 39 to No. 4—the number he wore at Alabama.
Jackson was permitted to make the switch thanks to a new rule approved by NFL owners during the offseason that expanded the range of numbers certain position groups are allowed to wear. Defensive backs, for instance, were previously limited to Nos. 20-49. But with the new rule, they can now also wear Nos. 1-19.
Jackson, a 2017 fourth-round draft pick, wore No. 39 in each of his first four seasons with the Bears, earning two trips to the Pro Bowl. His six career defensive touchdowns are tied for the third most in franchise history with Lance Briggs behind Charles Tillman (9) and Mike Brown (7).
Another Bears veteran has taken advantage of the new guidelines, with running back Damien Williams changing from No. 25 to No. 8. Williams signed with the Bears March 26 after opting out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19. He wore No. 34 in 2014-15 and No. 26 in 2016-17 in four seasons with the Miami Dolphins and No. 26 in 2018-19 in two years with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Other Bears who have switched to new numbers they were previously permitted to wear include receiver Javon Wims from No. 83 to No. 15 and cornerback Artie Burns from No. 24 to No. 25.
Two recently-signed veteran receivers have been assigned numbers, with Marquise Goodwin given No. 84 and Damiere Byrd handed No. 10.
The Bears already announced that first-round draft choice Justin Fields would wear No. 1, the number the quarterback wore at Ohio State. But they also revealed Thursday that their other six picks would don the following numbers (draft round and overall selection in parentheses):
24: Khalil Herbert, running back (6-217)
27: Thomas Graham Jr., cornerback (6-228)
75: Larry Borom, tackle (5-151)
76: Teven Jenkins, tackle (2-39)
83: Dazz Newsome, receiver (6-221)
95: Khyiris Tonga, nose tackle (7-250)
Senior writer Larry Mayer ranks his 10 favorite Bears players who changed jersey numbers prior to the 2021 season.
(10) Sam Acho (No. 49 to 93)
The outside linebacker wore No. 49 in his first two seasons with the Bears in 2015-16 before changing to No. 93 in his final two years in 2017-18. Acho made the switch because he liked the number "3" following the release of defensive lineman Will Sutton, who had been wearing No. 93.
(9) Jim Flanigan (No. 68 to 99)
After wearing No. 68 as a Bears rookie in 1994, the defensive tackle from Notre Dame wore No. 99 for his final six seasons with the team.
(8) Emery Moorehead (No. 43 to 87)
After wearing No. 43 in his first season with the Bears in 1981, the veteran tight end switched to No. 87 for his final seven years with the team.
(7) Rashied Davis (No. 21 to 81)
Before joining the Bears in 2005, Davis had played receiver and cornerback in the Arena Football League with the San Jose SaberCats. Signed by the Bears to play cornerback, Davis was assigned No. 21. But when he was switched to receiver in his second season, he changed to No. 81.
(6) Earl Bennett (No. 85 to 80)
The Bears receiver wore No. 85 as a rookie in 2008 before switching to No. 80 for his final five seasons with the team. Bennett did not catch a pass as a rookie before registering 185 receptions the next five years.
(5) Josh McCown (No. 15 to 12)
The popular quarterback had worn No. 12 in each of his first eight NFL seasons with the Cardinals (2002-05), Lions (2006), Raiders (2007) and Panthers (2008-09). But when he signed with the Bears in 2011, Caleb Hanie had No. 12, so McCown took No. 15. McCown's contract expired after the season and the Bears acquired receiver Brandon Marshall in a trade with the Dolphins and gave him No. 15. McCown re-signed with the Bears one day later and was given No. 12.
(4) Mike Ditka (No. 82 to 89)
After Mike Ditka was selected by the Bears with the fifth pick in the 1961 draft, the Hall of Fame tight end was assigned No. 82. The No. 89 that Ditka had worn at the University of Pittsburgh belonged to Bears kicker John Aveni. But Aveni was released before training camp and Ditka was able to get No. 89—a number that has since been retired by the team in his honor.
(3) Lance Briggs (No. 91 to 55)
When Briggs was chosen by the Bears in the third round of the 2003 draft, the No. 55 belonged to veteran linebacker Mike Caldwell. But Caldwell was released before the start of the season and Briggs switched to No. 55.
(2) Doug Plank (No. 25 to 46)
The hard-hitting safety was originally given No. 25 after arriving as a 12th-round pick in the 1975 draft. But the Bears traded for Steelers receiver Ron Shanklin in late August and Shanklin asked for No. 25—the number he had worn for five seasons in Pittsburgh. Plank acquiesced and switched to No. 46. Had that not happened, we'd probably all be talking about the famed 25 defense!
(1) Walter Payton (No. 21 to 34)
The legendary Hall of Fame running back was initially assigned No. 21 when he arrived as the fourth overall pick in the 1975 draft, but he switched to his famed No. 34 before the start of the regular season.
