Von Miller finally got the jersey number he wanted for his debut season with the Dallas Cowboys, but the price was anything but standard.
The veteran pass rusher will wear No. 40 in 2026 after striking an agreement with fullback Hunter Luepke, who had held that number for his first three seasons in Dallas. As part of the arrangement, Miller handed Luepke a share of ownership in his poultry enterprise, Greener Pastures Chicken.
The number holds deep personal meaning for Miller. He wore No. 40 at DeSoto High School and Texas A&M, plus during his tenures with the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills. Luepke will now shift to No. 30.
Von Miller secures his preferred Cowboys number
The pact between Miller and Luepke was finalized Thursday after talks that reportedly stretched until the last moment. Miller joked that this might be the first instance in NFL history where a jersey number changed hands for partial ownership of a poultry farm.
“It was fantastic. You have to give Hunter a big shoutout,” Miller said. “It came down to the final hour, but we managed to close it.”
Miller revealed that Luepke now holds a stake in Greener Pastures Chicken, which he called “the chicken of champions.” He noted the fit was natural since Luepke captured three national titles, including two at the FCS level, during his college days at North Dakota State.
For Miller, this negotiation was a fresh experience. His longtime agent Joby Branion has helped him accumulate $201.7 million over his playing career, meaning this marked the first major jersey-number discussion he had personally managed.
Hunter Luepke becomes part owner of Greener Pastures
The deal inevitably sparked questions about whether Luepke would get complimentary chicken from the company going forward. Miller indicated that topic had to be resolved during the talks, though he declined to share the exact details of their agreement.
Luepke now joins a list of NFL names invested in Miller’s business. Patrick Mahomes, Drew Brees, and Nick Foles are also among those who have put money into Greener Pastures Chicken.
Miller described the deal as mutually advantageous and welcomed Luepke into the enterprise. After three seasons wearing No. 40 for Dallas, Luepke will start the 2026 campaign with No. 30 instead.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said he has witnessed plenty of odd jersey-number negotiations during his 27 years in NFL coaching, including swaps involving cars and Rolex watches. Even so, he had never seen one resolved through company ownership.
Cowboys veteran embraces Dallas homecoming
Miller’s return to Dallas has injected fresh energy into the 37-year-old. The pass rusher is heading into his 16th NFL season and enters 2026 as the league’s active sacks leader with 138.5.
His previous campaign with Washington ended with a 5-12 record, although Miller paced the team with 9.0 sacks at age 36. After winning Super Bowl 50 with Denver and Super Bowl LVI with the Rams, he now seeks another title with his hometown squad.
Miller said suiting up for Dallas feels distinct from his earlier stops. He described seeing himself in the Cowboys’ white uniform as something requiring adjustment after spending so much of his career competing against them.
He has not locked in a specific role or snap count for the upcoming season. Instead, Miller said his focus is on contributing wherever possible, whether that means assisting teammates and coaches or delivering on the field as a pass rusher.
Von Miller looks toward a front-office path
Miller’s goals in Dallas extend past his playing days. He has gained insight into NFL front-office operations from executives at previous teams and said Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay has supported that interest.
The veteran believes he could eventually fill various front-office roles, including director of pro personnel, assistant general manager, general manager, or team president. For now, though, his immediate attention stays on helping Dallas win.
Miller thinks the Cowboys possess the mentality needed to become a Super Bowl contender. Having been part of championship-winning teams during his career, he sees the right attitude forming in Dallas and believes that mindset can separate a good team from one capable of claiming the trophy.
His short-term objective is therefore straightforward: help the Cowboys chase a third Super Bowl ring in 2026 while savoring the chance to play for his hometown squad.