ENGLEWOOD, Colo. --Shortly after the Broncos signed defensive end DeMarcus Ware, defensive tackle Terrance Knighton was one of the first people to welcome the Pro Bowler to Denver.

@DeMarcusWare let's get this ship — Terrance Knighton (@MrKnighton2u) March 12, 2014

But the conversation quickly turned to business.

Knighton wore No. 94 for the Broncos in 2013, but Ware had worn that number for all nine of his seasons in Dallas.

Lol oh that 94 gon cost tho — Terrance Knighton (@MrKnighton2u) March 12, 2014

Lol to those who've been asking and want to know......... I will be handing over the 94.... More details to come...... — Terrance Knighton (@MrKnighton2u) March 13, 2014

Ultimately Knighton switched to No. 98, leaving No. 94 for Ware.

"I have so much respect for the game and guys who have done it really good for a long time," Knighton explained Thursday.

But it wasn't exactly free.

"I texted him and said, 'You know, it's yours, but it's going to cost you,'" Knighton recalled with a smile.

So what did it cost?

"Just know it was a little bit more than other guys get just because I felt like I did a really good job in 94," he laughed. "They were probably going to start making jerseys and stuff, so I told him he'd have to pay for all that and reimburse my mom for the 20 jerseys she bought. It was a pretty penny."