Von Miller makes unusual offer to Cowboys veteran for jersey number

Von Miller already knew what jersey number he wanted when he came to Dallas.

Now he just needs to talk its current owner out of it.

The eight-time Pro Bowler, who came to terms with his hometown team over the weekend and was officially introduced in a press conference Tuesday, has made clear his preference to wear No. 40, the number he wore for Texas A&M and then again at his stops with both the Rams and the Bills. Miller even went so far as to post multiple images on social media teasing the number as his own in Cowboys colors.

Problem is, fullback Hunter Luepke has had that jersey in his locker for each of his three years in Dallas.

But Miller, who spoke at length Tuesday about being an exemplary teammate and signing with the Cowboys for the right reasons, says he's already put a plan in motion.

"Hunter, we already started off on a great foot. I'm a team guy," Miller said. "Whatever it takes to get it done, I'm sure we can figure something out."

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Miller wore No. 24 while with the Commanders last season, but he made another set of digits famous over his ten-plus years in Denver.

"I think 58 was a different thing. I wore 58 so long in one spot. I wore 24 last year," he explained. "That's already taken as well. Even if it doesn't work out, that's how it's supposed to be."

It's clear a return to his college number would be special for Miller, who grew up dreaming of playing for the Cowboys. Now that his "dream within a dream" is a reality, it may be up to Luepke to simply name his price.

"I'm not going to get caught up in a number, but I did make some offers to him already..." Miller said with a smile.

And the DFW star, who just happens to own an organic poultry farm outside Dallas, thinks he may know how to sweeten the deal for his 250-pound teammate.

"I think a lifetime supply of chicken, I'd do it."

Videos posted of Tuesday's practice showed Miller working off to the side with Cowboys pass-rush specialist BT Jordan.

New Cowboys OLB Von Miller will ramp up this week before participating in team drills. Here he is working with pass rush specialist BT Jordan. pic.twitter.com/7FoPSi4zAp

For what it's worth, Miller was wearing No. 40, though the official team website still shows the jersey as belonging to Luepke.

"That number would be nice," Miller stated, "but I think the most important thing is to win a lot of these games, play in big games, and the number will just be an afterthought."

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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Von Miller makes unusual offer to Cowboys veteran for jersey number