Josh Allen Jersey Number: Bills Retired Numbers and Who Wears What
Posted by JerseyZenith on Oct 25th 2026
- The Bills have retired three numbers: 12, 34 and 78.
- Kelly's 12 was retired on November 19, 2001.
- Andre Reed's 83 and Kyle Williams's 95 are honored, not retired.
- Josh Allen wears 17; DJ Moore wears 2.
This guide covers the Bills' retired numbers and the numbers fans buy in 2026. It does not cover the NFL's position rules, which have their own guide.
Bills retired numbers
| Number | Player | Position | Years with the Bills | Retired |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Jim Kelly | Quarterback | 1986–1996 | November 19, 2001 |
| 34 | Thurman Thomas | Running back | 1988–1999 | October 30, 2018 |
| 78 | Bruce Smith | Defensive end | 1985–1999 | September 15, 2016 |
The Bills have retired three numbers: Kelly's 12, Smith's 78 and Thomas's 34. None is worn by a player on the October 2026 roster.
Jim Kelly's 12
Kelly played quarterback for Buffalo from 1986 to 1996, and the team retired his No. 12 on November 19, 2001, the year he entered the Bills Wall of Fame.
Thurman Thomas and Bruce Smith
Thomas, a running back from 1988 to 1999, had No. 34 retired on October 30, 2018. Smith, a defensive end from 1985 to 1999, had No. 78 retired on September 15, 2016. Both are in the Wall of Fame.
Andre Reed's 83 and Kyle Williams's 95
Not every honored number is retired. Wikipedia lists Andre Reed's 83 under "reduced circulation," and tight end Keleki Latu wears 83 on the 2026 roster. Kyle Williams's 95 has not been reissued since he retired in 2019, and the roster shows no 95. Treat both as honors, not formal retirements.
Current Bills numbers fans buy
| Player | Number | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Allen | 17 | Quarterback |
| DJ Moore | 2 | Wide receiver |
| Khalil Shakir | 10 | Wide receiver |
| James Cook III | 4 | Running back |
| Dalton Kincaid | 86 | Tight end |
| Von Miller is not on the roster; Bradley Chubb | 9 | Linebacker |
| Damar Hamlin | 3 | Safety |
| Ed Oliver | 91 | Defensive tackle |
| Greg Rousseau | 15 | Linebacker |
| Tyler Bass | 16 | Kicker |
Rosters change during the season, so confirm a player is still on the team before you order a name and number. The NFL jersey number rules explain how the league assigns numbers by position.
More Bills numbers
| Player | Number | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Keon Coleman | 0 | Wide receiver |
| Joshua Palmer | 5 | Wide receiver |
| Dion Dawkins | 73 | Offensive tackle |
| Spencer Brown | 79 | Offensive tackle |
| Terrel Bernard | 8 | Linebacker |
| Christian Benford | 47 | Cornerback |
| C.J. Gardner-Johnson | 22 | Safety |
Practice-squad players include Shane Buechele in 6 and Tre'Davious White in 27. Injured reserve lists receiver Tyrell Shavers in 14.
Buying a legend number
Legend jerseys with 12, 34 or 78 are sold as tributes to the players who wore them, since no current Bills player can wear those numbers. Josh Allen and DJ Moore have their own hubs, so start there if you want a current jersey. The blue and white styles are the usual choice for a legend number, and you can check the tier and size on each listing before you order.
The Wall of Fame
The Bills also honor players in their Wall of Fame. Kelly was inducted in 2001, Thomas in 2005, Andre Reed in 2006 and Smith in 2008, according to Wikipedia. The Wall of Fame is separate from number retirement, which is why Reed is honored without a retired number.
Quarterbacks, receivers and tight ends
Josh Allen wears 17, Kyle Allen wears 11 and Shane Buechele, on the practice squad, wears 6. Receivers wear 0, 2, 5, 10, 13 and 19, and tight ends wear 83, 85, 86 and 88. Because 83 is Reed's old number, check the name on any 83 listing.
Legend numbers
| Legend | Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Kelly | 12 | Retired, 2001 |
| Thurman Thomas | 34 | Retired, 2018 |
| Bruce Smith | 78 | Retired, 2016 |
| Andre Reed | 83 | Reduced circulation; worn by Keleki Latu |
| Kyle Williams | 95 | Not reissued since 2019 |
A number tells you the era, not the player, so match the number to a name on the listing.
Women's and youth sizes
Most players above come in women's Bills jerseys and youth Bills jerseys where a style is listed. Check the NFL jersey size chart, then confirm the name and number. Start from Buffalo Bills jerseys to pick a style.
Nike makes every Buffalo Bills jersey we sell, in home, away, alternate, Rivalries and throwback styles where the team has them, so a player's number is the same on each style. Compare Game and Limited in our tier guide and shop all Bills jerseys.
FAQ
How many numbers have the Bills retired?
Three: 12, 34 and 78.
Is Jim Kelly's number retired?
Yes. No. 12 was retired on November 19, 2001.
Is Andre Reed's number retired?
No. Wikipedia lists 83 under reduced circulation.
What number does Josh Allen wear?
No. 17.
Is Thurman Thomas' number retired?
Yes. No. 34 was retired on October 30, 2018.
Is Bruce Smith's number retired?
Yes. No. 78 was retired on September 15, 2016.
Who wears Jim Kelly's number?
No one. Kelly's 12 is retired.
Which Bills number was retired most recently?
Thurman Thomas's No. 34, on October 30, 2018.
Does anyone wear Kyle Williams's 95?
The October 2026 ESPN roster shows no one in 95, though the team has not retired it.
What is the Khalil Shakir jersey number?
Khalil Shakir wears No. 10 for the Bills, per the ESPN roster on October 25, 2026.