Dexter Lawrence accomplishes his first goal with the Bengals thanks to his new teammate
Dexter Lawrence will continue wearing the No. 97 jersey for the Cincinnati Bengals. Lawrence previously said he wanted to number from Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart.
Dexter Lawrence became the NFL’s best nose tackle while wearing the No. 97 jersey for the New York Giants.
He’ll continue wearing that number with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cincinnati revealed new jersey numbers for Lawrence, its free agent signings, and even a few incumbent players.
Shemar Stewart is one of those incumbents as he was the owner of the No. 97 jersey last year.
New jersey numbers for Bengals players
- #0 – DJ Turner II
- #6 – Bryan Cook
- #11 – Josh Johnson
- #26 – Ja’Sir Taylor
- #29 – Kyle Dugger
- #53 – Boye Mafe
- #68 – Jordan Jefferson
- #81 – Dohnte Meyers
- #91 – McKinnley Jackson
- #93 – Jonathan Allen
- #94 – Shemar Stewart
- #97 – Dexter Lawrence
Stewart was the Bengals’ first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Lawrence was acquired by the club in exchange for their first-rounder in the 2026 draft.
Stewart, who wore No. 4 in college will now don the No. 94 jersey. Jordan Jefferson previously had the number, and he will take the No. 91 that was vacant following Trey Hendrickson’s departure.
Dexter Lawrence gets his first wish granted
Lawrence was asked during his introductory press conference how important his jersey number was to him. He made it clear he wanted it with his new team.
“I want to get it,” Lawrence told media members Monday. “You know. I know [Shemar] Stewart, you know, he had it last year, or have it right now, but Imma speak to him and see what he want to do.”
The conversation clearly worked. Lawrence just earned a $10 million roster bonus with his one-year extension, so maybe he slid the 22-year old some dough in the exchange.
Jonathan Allen, Bryan Cook, and Boye Mafe are also set to wear their numbers from their previous teams as well. Allen had to get his number from McKinnley Jackson, who is going to the No. 91. Jackson has now worn three numbers since being drafted in 2024. His original number from before his rookie season officially began was No. 68.
DJ Turner becomes first Bengals player to wear No. 0
This will be the 59th season in Bengals history, and the first year in which a player will wear the No. 0.
Turner has the honor, and it makes total sense. He’s arguably the fastest player on the roster, and was previously the no. 20. It suit him well.
Turner and Cook are both making a bit of history. Cincinnati has previously been against defensive players taking single digit numbers. Their new numbers will be the first in that range for defensive players.
