Bengals' Ross hoping for fresh start with new number

The first two seasons of John Ross' NFL career have been wholly forgettable.

The ninth overall pick of the 2017 draft didn't record a catch in his rookie season with the Cincinnati Bengals and posted 21 receptions for 210 yards and seven touchdowns last year.

Ross is hoping to alter his current career trajectory and he'll start by making an aesthetic change. He's swapping his No. 15 jersey number for No. 11, a number he wore briefly in college.

"I felt like, this is my third year, I get a chance to re-invent myself and recreate some of the old me," Ross told The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr.

"I kind of wanted to basically start everything over. I get to put Ross III on the back of my jersey and get to change the number. Hopefully, just change the whole year."

Changing his narrative was part of the reason Ross didn't compete in the 40 Yards of Gold tournament against fellow NFL speedsters. Ross is still best known for breaking the 40-yard dash record in 4.22 seconds.

"I try to shy away from being that guy," he said. "I want to focus on being me. I'm always going to have the speed label, I don't feel like I have anything to prove."

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