FRISCO, Texas — With a list of moves having been made by the Dallas Cowboys to begin 2025 NFL free agency, the next order of business would be to get each deal signed and sealed, and to then begin assigning jersey numbers to the new acquisitions.
Done, done and done.
New arrivals such as defensive lineman Solomon Thomas and running backs Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders join returning talent, namely defensive end Dante Fowler, in acquiring their brand new Cowboys' jerseys for the 2025 season; but that's not all, considering there have been some changes to existing numbers as well — as longtime contributors, e.g., DeMarcus Lawrence and Jourdan Lewis — depart for new homes in free agency.
- 3- Dante Fowler
- 2 - Juanyeh Thomas
- 15 - Will Grier
- 20 - Kaiir Elam
- 23 - Buddy Johnson
- 27 - Miles Sanders
- 33 - Javonte Williams
- 57 - Jack Sanborn
- 59 - Kenneth Murray
- 63 - Dakoda Shepley
- 65 - Robert Jones
- 80 - Parris Campbell
- 90 - Solomon Thomas
- 98 - Payton Turner
As it stands, above is the list of jersey assignments, but be aware that numbers can and often do change prior to the start of the regular season, as additional players are signed and/or drafted to the roster.
A few things jump right out at you from that list, to say the very least.
The list is headlined by the fact the No. 90 jersey, owned by Lawrence since 2014, now belongs to Thomas, and in short order; and In a similar, but not entirely equal, breath, safety Juanyeh Thomas will commandeer the No. 2, owned previously by Lewis after the latter previously changed and walked away from the No. 27 jersey he wore earlier in his Cowboys' career.
Fowler now resides in No. 3, worn by Brandin Cooks over the past two seasons.
Will Grier, the lone remaining quarterback on the roster as of Monday behind Dak Prescott — Cooper Rush having agreed to sign with the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday — returns to his familiar No. 15 that was donned by running back Ezekiel Elliott in his return to the Cowboys in 2024, released in December from the team, while Grier was later signed to an extension in January.
Sanborn moves into the number vacated by Buddy Johnson, and Shepley exits a number now garnered by Jones, one once worn by both Andrew Gurode and Ronald Leary, sizable shoes to fill there.
And speaking of big shoes to fill, Turner inherits a number worn by both Tyrone Crawford and none other than Greg Ellis, one season after Ellis spent months with the Cowboys following his return to coach up the defensive line during the 2024 season, while Campbell hopes to make an impact in a number once donned by Cowboys' legend Tony Hill.
Then there's Williams, taking on the responsibility of No. 33, made famous by the incomparable ability of Tony Dorsett.
With that, a new era begins in Dallas, officially.
