Von Miller Secures No. 40 via Equity Swap with Hunter Luepke

Key points

• Von Miller will wear No. 40 for the 2026 Dallas Cowboys season, a number he previously wore with the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills.
• Hunter Luepke, who held No. 40 since 2023, will switch to No. 30 after agreeing to the swap.
• The compensation for the number swap involved Luepke receiving equity in Miller’s poultry business, Greener Pastures Chicken, located in Elgin, Texas.
• The deal was finalized on September 3, 2026, after negotiations that lasted until the final hour before the regular season number lock-in.
• Miller’s other offers included free chicken for life and full-body tattoo work, but the equity stake was the agreed-upon term.
• Rookie Caleb Downs will retain No. 13, while other players like Alijah Clark and Camden Brown also received new number assignments.

Background

Von Miller signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys for the 2026 season, aiming to win a Super Bowl with his hometown team. Prior to the final agreement, Miller had publicly expressed his desire to wear No. 40, which he wore at Texas A&M and with previous NFL teams. The conflict arose because Hunter Luepke, an undrafted fullback, had worn the number since joining the Cowboys in 2023. Earlier reports indicated Miller was considering various incentives to persuade Luepke, including humorous offers like a lifetime supply of chicken. The team’s focus on resolving this issue quickly was to avoid locker room tension and ensure all players had finalized numbers before the regular season began.

How outlets are covering it

NBC Sports and CBS Sports both reported the finality of the deal, emphasizing the equity in Greener Pastures Chicken as the primary compensation. The Dallas Cowboys official site highlighted the broader context of number changes, including Caleb Downs retaining No. 13, and noted the team’s upcoming opener against the Giants. While all sources agreed on the outcome, CBS Sports provided additional context on Miller’s career stats and his desire to contribute to a Super Bowl win, whereas NBC Sports focused more on the negotiation process and the humorous aspect of the chicken deal. The Dallas Cowboys site presented the information in a more formal, team-centric manner, listing all new number assignments. No significant disagreements were found among the sources, but the emphasis varied from the novelty of the compensation to the broader team dynamics.

Why it matters

The resolution of the jersey number dispute demonstrates the importance of player relationships and negotiation in the NFL, even for seemingly minor issues. It highlights the unique compensation structures players can use to resolve conflicts, such as equity in personal businesses. For the Dallas Cowboys, settling this matter quickly allowed the team to focus on preparation for the regular season opener, avoiding potential distractions. For fans, it adds a layer of interest to the 2026 season, showcasing the personal connections and business ventures of players like Von Miller. The deal also underscores the value of veteran players in the locker room and their ability to influence team dynamics through creative solutions.

What to watch

The Dallas Cowboys will now focus on their regular season opener against the New York Giants on September 13 at MetLife Stadium. Von Miller will wear No. 40, while Hunter Luepke will wear No. 30. The team will continue to prepare for the season, with the number assignments locked in for the duration of the regular season. Miller’s role and snap count for the 2026 season are yet to be determined, but he has expressed optimism about the team’s potential to win a Super Bowl. The Cowboys will also monitor any further number changes as the season progresses, though the current list is expected to remain stable.