FRISCO, Texas — Hunter Luepke and Von Miller both carry No. 40 on the Dallas Cowboys roster with 12 days left before the season opener, and Luepke said Tuesday that the two of them are within days of settling it.
“We’ll see in the next couple of days,” Luepke said, per ESPN’s Todd Archer.
Since Aug. 18, two days after he agreed to terms, Miller has been in No. 40 at practice. Luepke has worn it since he signed with Dallas as an undrafted free agent out of North Dakota State in 2023, and he wore No. 44 in college. The Cowboys listed both players at 40 on their official roster page Tuesday afternoon.
Luepke has spent a lot of time with Miller since the signing, has enjoyed getting to know him, and has picked his brain on different topics, Archer reported.
“Fortunate to have him here,” Luepke said.
Von Miller’s No. 40 History And The Offer He Made Hunter Luepke
Miller wore No. 40 at DeSoto High School and at Texas A&M. He kept it with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021 and with the Buffalo Bills from 2022 through 2024. He wore No. 58 across nine seasons with the Denver Broncos and No. 24 with the Washington Commanders last season.
From 2005 through 2013, DeMarcus Ware wore No. 94 in Dallas, and he and Miller later played together in Denver. Miller ruled that number out at his introductory press conference on Aug. 18.
“Nah, 94, that’s D-Ware. That’s D-Ware,” Miller said.
Miller had already put offers in front of Luepke by the time he met with reporters.
“I don’t know. I don’t know what uniform number I’m going to be. I know Hunter is 40. I think 58, that’s a Denver thing. I wore 58 so long in one spot. I wore 24 last year. That’s already taken as well,” Miller explained. “But Hunter, we already started off on a great foot. I’m a team guy. Whatever it takes to get it done. I’m sure we can figure something out. Even if it doesn’t work out, that’s just how it’s supposed to be.”
“I’m not going to get caught up in a number, but I did make some offers to him already that I feel like he can’t really come off of those,” Miller continued. “I think a lifetime supply of chicken will do it.”
Greener Pastures Chicken, a 35-acre organic poultry farm in Elgin, Texas, lists Miller as a co-founder. He majored in poultry science at Texas A&M.
Where Hunter Luepke And Von Miller Fit On The Dallas Cowboys
On Sept. 3, 2025, the day before the season opener, Luepke signed a two-year extension worth up to $7.5 million. The deal included more than $5 million guaranteed, made him the third-highest-paid fullback in the league by average annual salary, and runs through the 2027 season.
Last season, he played 17 games with 5 starts, finishing with 16 carries for 71 yards and no touchdowns, and 13 catches for 109 yards and 1 touchdown. Across three seasons in Dallas, he has 34 carries for 128 yards and 1 touchdown, and 28 receptions for 238 yards and 1 touchdown in 50 games.
Miller agreed to his one-year deal on Aug. 16. It pays $5.5 million and can reach $7.5 million through incentives. He has 138.5 sacks in 203 regular season games, a total that ties Ware for ninth on the NFL’s official list, and he had 9.0 sacks in 17 games for Washington last season. The Broncos took him second overall in 2011. He has eight Pro Bowl selections, two Super Bowl rings, and the Most Valuable Player award from Super Bowl 50. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer has had him in meetings since the final week of camp.
Dallas released Sam Williams on Sunday. Archer reported that Miller’s addition took the last edge rusher spot on the 53-man roster. Williams signed a one-year deal in March that carried $2 million guaranteed.
The Cowboys open the regular season Sept. 13 at the New York Giants at 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
