NFL Rookies Receive Jersey Numbers During OTA Workouts Across Multiple Teams

The NFL offseason is underway with all 32 teams holding OTA workouts, and several rookies have been assigned jersey numbers reflecting their new teams or personal preferences. Tennessee Vols rookies, including first-round pick James Pearce Jr. and second-rounder Omarr Norman-Lott, mostly retained their college numbers in the NFL, while others opted for new numbers. The Tennessee Titans' rookie linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo is notable for switching to jersey No. 7, marking the first time a defensive player on the team wears a single-digit number following recent NFL jersey number rule changes. The Pittsburgh Steelers quickly reassigned wide receiver George Pickens' No. 14 to newly signed undrafted rookie Montana Lemonious-Craig, signaling the team's move on from Pickens after trading him to the Dallas Cowboys, with DK Metcalf potentially reclaiming the number if Lemonious-Craig does not make the roster. Additionally, the Steelers have allocated jersey numbers to recent additions like Blake Mangelson and Nick Broeker, though roster spots and numbers may still change as the offseason progresses. These developments highlight the dynamic nature of team rosters and player identities as the 2025 NFL season approaches.