Denver Broncos enforce restrictions on six jersey numbers ahead of 2026 season
Following the 2026 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos announced that players are prohibited from selecting six specific jersey numbers, maintaining a legacy policy that honours former players while managing roster assignments.
The Denver Broncos have confirmed that players are prohibited from selecting six specific jersey numbers for the upcoming season, a policy announced in the wake of the 2026 NFL draft. The restrictions apply to the team’s draft class and broader roster, with further jersey number assignments expected to be released ahead of Organised Team Activities (OTAs) in June.
Three of the restricted numbers are officially retired by the franchise. No. 7 is retired in honour of legendary quarterback John Elway, while No. 44 is retired for Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little. The third officially retired number, No. 18, belongs to Frank Tripucka, the first quarterback in franchise history. However, Tripucka personally granted permission for Peyton Manning to wear the number during his tenure with the team from 2012 to 2015.
In addition to the officially retired numbers, the Broncos’ equipment staff holds back three other numbers unofficially. These include No. 24, associated with Champ Bailey; No. 58, worn by Von Miller; and No. 88, linked to the late Demarius Thomas. These numbers are rarely, if ever, issued to new players, reflecting a de facto retirement policy managed by the team’s operations staff.
The history of these unofficially restricted numbers includes specific exceptions. Adam Jones wore No. 24 in 2018 with Champ Bailey’s blessing, but the number has not been issued since Bailey’s retirement. Similarly, former tight end Nick Vannett wore No. 88 in 2020, but it has not been worn by any other player following Thomas’s death in 2021.
No. 58 has also remained inactive since Von Miller was traded from the Broncos in 2021. Miller wore the number during his entire tenure with the team, which spanned from 2011 to 2021. The continued non-issuance of these six numbers underscores the franchise’s approach to preserving the legacy of its key personnel through jersey policy.
