The NFL is enforcing its will on the New England Patriots once again.
Mike Reiss of ESPN reports that the NFL has instituted a new rule that requires teams to wear numbered jerseys during organized team activities and mandatory minicamps. It’s a rule that will affect the Patriots, who like to wear numberless jerseys during these preseason workouts.
For years, Bill Belichick has said that by not wearing numbers, his team’s communication improves. This same idea was used by former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Chuck Noll.
But the NFL has different ideas about this exercise. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said that the new rule is intended to make sure that teams aren’t having injured players participate in drills and practice. It will also help the league and the NFL Players’ Association monitor practices.
For the league, this rule makes sense. With questions coming in about how the NFL handles concussions and other injuries, this is just one way the league can help make sure teams are following the rules.
From the Patriots’ perspective, however, this is just another clash between the team and the league. After the 2014 season, the league changed its rules about declaring eligible receivers ineligible. This came after the Patriots used the current rules to their advantage in a playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens. Plus, there’s that never-ending Deflategate drama.
