Von Miller secured the right to wear his familiar No. 40, and the exchange with Hunter Luepke has turned into more than a simple jersey swap.
What changed on the roster board
Miller confirmed he successfully negotiated to get No. 40 — the number he wore in high school, college and with the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills — from Cowboys fullback Hunter Luepke, who had previously worn it and has switched to No. 30. Miller described the outcome as “a great fit for us” and “a great fit for him.”
From uniform to ownership
The negotiation progressed beyond cleats and lockers. Miller said Luepke is now his business partner and part owner of Greener Pastures Chicken, Miller’s poultry brand. Teaming up on equity settled the jersey dispute: Miller obtained No. 40 in exchange for a percentage ownership in the company.
Those details convert what often is a lighthearted negotiation between veterans and younger players into a concrete business arrangement, with Luepke recording an official number change to 30 while taking an ownership stake in Miller’s company.
Comments and context
Miller framed the deal in simple terms: “I’m happy to say he’s my business partner. He’s part owner of Greener Pastures Chicken. The chicken of champions,” remarks that underline the transactional nature of the switch and the public, good-natured tone surrounding it.
Earlier, reports suggested different offers had been on the table; Yardbarker reported that Miller had previously offered a lifetime supply of chicken as part of the negotiations. That offering remains a reported anecdote rather than the final arrangement, which ultimately involved an ownership stake.
The interaction between Miller and Luepke illustrates how jersey numbers — often viewed as personal branding — can become the basis for real-world partnerships. In this case, the resolution delivered Miller’s preferred number and created a business tie between the two players, while Luepke moved to No. 30.
