The Dallas Cowboys have a true star in their defense this year in rookie Caleb Downs. He has performed at an elite level since his freshman year of college, and many expect him to carry that same dominance into the NFL. But now that he’s here, he will have to start from ground zero and chase that greatness again. The safety/cornerback is already showing part of that confidence through his plans to reclaim his famous jersey number.

Downs wore the No. 2 throughout his collegiate career. The high number doesn’t mean that he was granted a better status in the team, by any means. But people saw the number as proof of the value he brought to the team, to the kind of player he was. Fans hoped to see him wear No. 2 in Dallas as well, since teams often hand rookies single-digit numbers early in their debut season. Instead, the Cowboys assigned Downs No. 18, a choice many felt didn’t suit a player of his caliber.

Soon after, the Cowboys pivoted and gave him the No. 13 jersey, which is also available on the team’s official store. But according to Dallas insider Jeff Cavanaugh, Caleb Downs is still planning to reclaim No. 2 this season.

“Gary Downs [Caleb’s father] tells us Caleb is wearing 13 for the OTAs but he believes they’re efforting to get #2. Dominos have to fall,” he posted on X.

While growing up, Downs’ favourite athlete was NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who wore the number 24. At the beginning of his collegiate career, Downs wanted to wear No. 24. But he had to settle for No. 2, and it kind of grew on him.

“It became [clear that] there are two things that are more important than me, more important than my playing football,” Downs said. “My faith in Jesus Christ and my family. So, those two things are what I wear on my chest every game, and those are the two most important things in my life.”

The number also has a family connection. Caleb’s brother, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs, famously swapped his own jersey from number 1 to number 2 to match Caleb. In Dallas, the No. 2 is currently worn by veteran cornerback Cobie Durant. Downs said nothing much about this topic except that they are “going to see what happens.” It will be tough for him to get Durant to give up the number.

The most common way NFL players swap numbers is through private transactions. Downs would negotiate directly with Durant to buy the rights to the number. But as reported by his father, Caleb is a bit frugal in nature.

“He is also, he is very frugal with his resources, with his money,” Gary said. “So he is not all about paying money, no. He is tight with his money, he saves his money, he is just not like that, man.”

It’s not even like Durant has a much deeper connection with no. 2. He wore the number 14 throughout his college career and continued wearing that while playing for the Rams. The only reason he couldn’t get it in Dallas was that Cowboys backup safety Markquese Bell currently wears the number. Now, Caleb Downs can claim No. 2 only if Markquese Bell fails to make the 53-man roster or the Cowboys trade him.

However, if Downs is adamant on wearing No. 2, the Cowboys will have to work something out with the senior player or use their prerogative to take it from Durant. But, to be honest, the former Buckeye has never expressed discontent about being 18 or 13. His father has already made it clear that the ball matters to him more than any number he wears. It’s his play that will impact his team, not the digits on his jersey.

“But it is not the main thing,” Gary Downs added. “If ball is the main thing, the number is a tertiary or a third-order thing. And when he gets the chance to get 2, I am sure he will get it. But he is not focused on it. My wife, his mom, she is serious about him getting No. 2. But he is like, ‘Mom, that don’t matter.’”

Honestly, 13 isn’t a bad number either. Dallas fans will remember Dante Fowler wearing it. Before the Cowboys gave No. 13 to Downs, they had assigned the number to free-agent signee Sam Howell, who now wears No. 16. It’s completely normal for rookies to get jersey numbers different from what they wore in college. Teams may retire certain numbers, while active players often continue wearing others. But the Cowboys could still consider making this change, especially since Caleb Downs is already bringing significant value to the team.

Caleb Downs’ rookie jersey is the league’s best-selling after the draft

The former Ohio State star is yet to take a snap in the NFL, but he’s already showing what he’s worth. After the Cowboys initially gave Downs No. 18, fans quickly bought up jerseys with his name and number, making it the best-selling rookie jersey this year. In doing so, Downs even surpassed No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, who ranks fifth in sales. If this is the turnout with Caleb Downs as No. 18, jerseys with No. 2 would barely last the first week of the drop.

Plus, it gives a chance to fans who have already bought this jersey, and the No. 13 version, to sell them at an even higher value if Downs becomes No. 2. The team could itself make use of this avenue. The current jersey is priced at $149.99.

The reason why 2 is special for Caleb Downs is that it represents the two most important things in his life. One is his faith, and the other is his family. Having the number on his chest meant that he could always be reminded of them when he was on the field. But Caleb Downs doesn’t really care about what jersey he gets to wear for his debut in the NFL. As long as he plays well and carves out a place for himself, any number is set to be iconic if Caleb Downs is wearing it.