New contract, New Jersey number – that’s the development trend of Buffalo Bill on the ball’s defense.
Linebacker Terrell Bernard is the latest in three building starters to sign a new contract and change the jersey number to single digits. The 2022 third round draft pick agreed to a four-year extension this offseason, and the team then announced that Bernard will take the eighth place in 2025.
The Jersey Number was made available earlier this month when veteran punter Sam Martin was released as a salary cap victim.
Bernard wore No. 43 in his first three NFL seasons after wearing three different numbers while competing jointly for Baylor. He was most famous for wearing the Bears and No. 2, but Bernard also wore No. 26 and No. 34 for a period of time.
Bernard, who quickly developed into a core piece on Buffalo’s defense, joined quarterback Joshu Allen in 2024 and was one of two team captains. Set to turn 26 in May, he is away from a consecutive season of over 100 tackles.
Related: SI Grade Buildings’ Important Terrell Bernard Contract Extension
Bernard’s number changes follow Nickel’s cornerback Talon Johnson and Safety Taylor Lap’s lead.
A 2018 four-round draft pick, Johnson wore 24th place during his rookie contract, but switched to seventh place after signing an extension in 2021.
Rapp came to the Bills as a free agent for the Los Angeles Rams on a one-year contract, but rose to 20th place during the 2023 season. After re-signing Buffalo’s last offseason, he changed to ninth place in the 2024 campaign.
