A lot of NFL players will want to change their number after surprising rule change, but it could cost them $1.5 million

• A rule change in the coming NFL season will allow more players to wear single-digit jerseys.
• But if players want to change their number, they'll have to buy up their remaining jerseys on sale.
• Dalvin Cook reportedly considered a switch, but balked at the potential $1.5 million pricetag.

The 2021 NFL season will look quite different.

Thanks to a new rule change heading into the new year, a wider range of players will be able to wear single-digit jerseys.

In previous years, only quarterbacks, punters, and kickers were allowed to rock a single-digit on their jersey. Now, the opportunity will be opened up to running backs, tight ends, wide receivers, and defenders.

For many players, making a switch will be tempting. Single-digit jerseys are high-value items. Several star players in the league wore a single-digit number in college before being forced to switch due to the previous positional restrictions of the NFL.

But there is a catch.

Players hoping to don a new jersey this year will have to buy up the remaining inventory of their jerseys at the retail price before making the switch, making a move to a new number an expensive decision.

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook found out about the costs of a potential switch first-hand.

According to a report from ProFootballTalk, Cook, who currently wears No. 33 for the Vikings, had expressed interest in taking on No. 4, which he wore in college at Florida State.

Per ProFootballTalk, the switch would have cost Cook $1.5 million, a price he determined was too high for his liking. Cook will continue to wear No. 33 for the 2021 campaign.

Still, all hope is not lost for Cook. Should a player choose to adopt a new number for the 2022 season, they can do so at no cost. That said, he'll have to make sure that no player comes in to scoop up the number between now and the kickoff of next year's season.