Ryan Flournoy is coming into 2026 with more than just a breakout season on his mind. The third-year receiver wants to start a whole new Dallas Cowboys tradition, staking his claim on the number 19. Flournoy spoke to the media after Monday’s practice in Oxnard, California, making it clear he’s ready to make that jersey number his own.
Forget 88, Welcome to the 19 Club
Look, everyone knows about the legendary No. 88 tradition in Dallas. Drew Pearson, Michael Irvin, Dez Bryant, and now CeeDee Lamb, that number means receiver greatness. We’re talking four Super Bowl titles, 16 Pro Bowls, and two Hall of Famers. That’s a high bar. But Flournoy isn’t backing down from setting up something new with No. 19. He specifically pointed to Miles Austin and Amari Cooper as his inspiration, saying, “They were kind of one of the reasons I picked 19…Miles Austin was in 19. Amari Cooper was in 19…they got the 88 tradition. Let’s do the 19 tradition.” Austin rocked No. 19 for eight seasons, switching from No. 14 after his rookie year in 2007. He made back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2009 and 2010, finishing his Cowboys run with 5,273 yards and 37 touchdowns. Then Cooper came in via trade midway through 2018 and absolutely shined in No. 19 for four seasons, racking up 3,893 yards, 27 touchdowns, and a Pro Bowl selection in 56 games. Flournoy knows the history, and he wants to add his own chapter to it.
From Practice Squad to Primetime, What’s Next for Flournoy?
Flournoy’s journey to this point hasn’t been a straight shot. He was a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and his rookie year wasn’t exactly explosive, with just 102 yards in 11 games. Things got even tougher when he was waived in August 2025. But the dude cleared waivers and re-signed to the practice squad, getting promoted to the active roster in September and never looking back! He ended up finishing fourth on the team in receptions with 40, fourth in receiving yards with 475, and third in receiving touchdowns with 4. Now, heading into 2026, he’s solidified his spot as the Cowboys’ third receiver, right behind the All-Pro duo of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. He’s clearly poised to take that next big step in head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s system and truly become the next great No. 19.
The Dallas Cowboys kick off their 2026 regular season on September 13 against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC. All eyes will be on Flournoy. Can he back up his talk and really start building that new No. 19 legacy? We’re about to find out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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