Picture a rookie running back walking into Broncos headquarters like Danny Ocean eyeing a Vegas vault. RJ Harvey, Denver’s second-round pick, isn’t here to steal plays or spotlight—yet. But whispers swirl that he’s orchestrating a subtle mission behind the scenes. Think of it like a quarterback sneak, but instead of a touchdown, the prize is stitched into fabric.

It’s the kind of drama that’d make John Elway smirk. Remember when Terrell Davis was given No. 30 in ’95? Numbers carry weight, like a pitcher’s jersey in the World Series. Harvey’s current digits—No. 37—are solid, but something’s brewing. As Sean Payton’s daughter Meghan joked, “We’re pushing for single digits.” Cue the intrigue.

Turns out, Harvey wants a new number—badly. During the NFLPA’s Rookie Premiere, Meghan Payton (a FanDuel host and Sean’s daughter) hinted at a social media campaign: “Now, I will say I did put a little tweet out there into the universe that we’re pushing for single digits for RJ. We like the 37, but we prefer single digits” Harvey grinned, “4, yep. I think 5’s open too.” The exchange went viral. The tweet in question?

Sean Payton tweeted a photo of Meghan and Harvey, captioning it, “When your daughter likes your 2nd-round pick!!” Meghan shared it with the caption, “Got a good one!! Now give him a single digit number!” Why the fuss? Single digits scream swagger in the NFL. Think Cam Newton’s No. 1 or Lamar Jackson’s No. 8. For Harvey, it’s a reset—a chance to shed his “reach” draft label and mirror UCF glory days wearing No. 7.

“He’s looked good though,” Payton said after minicamp. “You can tell it’s real important to him.” And it is. As Harvey told Meghan, “It feels amazing. I’m part of the Denver Broncos, so it’s a huge blessing. I’m excited for the opportunity.” Meanwhile, Harvey’s no stranger to reinvention. He began college as a Virginia QB before switching to RB at UCF. The result?

A 1,577-yard, 22-TD senior year—leading FBS in explosive runs. His quads, dubbed “tree trunks” by scouts, drew comparisons to Raiders’ star Ashton Jeanty. But critics still questioned his Day 2 draft slot. Payton’s response? A grin. He’d seen this before—a Darren Sproles-esque spark. “There’s a difference between a small runner and a short runner,” Payton noted. At 5’8”, 205 lbs, Harvey’s built like a wrecking ball with 4.4 speed. His goal?

“I want to be better than those guys [Darren Sproles and Alvin Kamara]… I want to make an immediate impact in this league,” he said. Bold? Sure. But as Elway once said, “You don’t half-compete.” Meanwhile, the Jersey plea isn’t about vanity.

RJ Harvey’s quest for no. 4: more than just threads

Jersey numbers shape legacies. No. 44 defined Floyd Little. No. 7 became Elway’s empire. For Harvey, No. 5 could signal a fresh chapter—one where he’s not just Payton’s pet project but Denver’s backfield future. “He’s going to play on third down,” Payton emphasized, hinting at an Alvin Kamara-like role. But challenges loom.

Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estimé lurk in the RB room. Harvey’s pass-blocking and receiving chops—19+ catches yearly at UCF—will decide his snap count. But if minicamp’s any clue, he’s adapting fast. “We had choice routes,” Payton said. “When you look at a lot of college offenses, I don’t know how often the running back is built into the passing game.” But changing numbers mid-offseason feels like reordering playbooks before kickoff.

Yet in Denver, it’s a gamble worth taking. As Meghan said, “5? Alright. Let’s go. Make it happen.” Harvey’s hunger mirrors the ’97 Broncos—underdogs who scrapped for rings. As Pat Bowlen famously barked, “This town deserves a winner.” So, will No. 5 unlock RJ Harvey’s potential? Or is this a rookie’s fleeting whim? Time’ll tell. But for now, Broncos Country leans in—hoping this heist ends with a trophy, not a turnover.