It's a new year and a new jersey number for Buffalo Bills running back James Cook. James Cook will be changing his jersey number to No. 4 for the 2023 NFL season. The Bills' running back will match his brother, Dalvin Cook, who wears No. 4 for the Minnesota Vikings.
James Cook wore No. 28 as a rookie with the Bills last season. Dalvin Cook wore No. 33 in his first five seasons with the Vikings before making the change a year ago. The NFL first allowed running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, linebackers and defensive backs to wear single-digit jersey numbers in the 2021 season.
Dalvin Cook reportedly saved more than $1 million by making the change in 2022 instead of for the 2021 season.
James Cook could become a bigger part of Buffalo's offense along with his new number. Although he backed up Devin Singletary, Cook was probably the Bills' best running back in the 2022 season. Cook had 507 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns on 5.7 yards per carry. Singletary signed with the Houston Texans in free agency, paving the way for Cook to have more carries in 2023.
The Bills also signed running back Damien Harris in free agency to join Cook in Buffalo's backfield.
There's at least a chance that Dalvin Cook could be wearing a new uniform next season. Rumors this offseason suggested that the Vikings have explored the idea of trading Cook. Minnesota's running has three seasons left on his five-year, $63 million contract.
Running backs can have a jersey number anywhere from 0-49 or 80-89. Earlier in the week, the league decided that any player, other than offensive and defensive linemen, can wear the No. 0.
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