Lions reveal free agent jersey numbers and veteran number changes

A bunch of Lions players changed their numbers now that different jerseys were available

When the Detroit Lions take to the field for the first mandatory minicamp in a few weeks, we’ll get a chance to see the free agents signed this offseason in their new jerseys for the first time. Now we know which number each of the new Lions will be sporting in 2023, at least to start the offseason.

The Lions revealed the jersey number choices of the free agent class of 2023. It was included in the same social media postings as the rookie jersey number assignments.

For the first time in the modern era, a Lions player will don No. 0. That honor goes to veteran wideout Marvin Jones, who returned in free agency after two seasons in Jacksonville.

The liberation of number assignments allows several new defensive backs to rock single-digit jerseys. Cam Sutton will wear No. 1, with C.J. Gardner-Johnson going for No. 2 and Emmanuel Moseley choosing the No 4 jersey. Running back David Montgomery will go with No. 5.

In addition to the new free agents, several holdover Lions pulled off some jersey number changes, too. Most notable among these are DB Ifeatu Melifonwu moving to No. 6 from 26 and running back Craig Reynolds choosing No. 13 after being No. 46.

That 24 belongs to cornerback Jarren Williams, not to be confused with wideout Jameson Williams, who appears to be keeping his No. 9.

Jameson Williams changes jerseys to No. 9 with Matthew Stafford’s blessing

Rookie Lions WR Jameson Williams changes jerseys to No. 9 with Matthew Stafford’s blessing

It’s going to look pretty strange seeing No. 9 catching passes in Detroit instead of throwing them, but it’s something Lions fans will need to get used to quickly. That’s because rookie WR Jameson Williams has officially changed his jersey from No. 18 to No. 9.

Yeah, that No. 9. Matthew Stafford’s old number.

According to Eric Woodyard of ESPN, Williams reached out to Stafford for the QB’s blessing in taking over his old number. The Lions traded Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams prior to the 2021 season after the quarterback spent the first 12 seasons of his career donning No. 9 in Detroit.

Williams remains on the Lions’ non-football injury list as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered at the end of the college football season at Alabama.

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Lions free agents and veterans receive their jersey numbers

The new players got their numbers and quite a few returning Lions changed their jersey numbers as well

It appears that the newest members of the Detroit Lions have received their jersey numbers. The rookie class got their numbers, and now the veteran free agents signed this offseason have their new jerseys as well.

Wide receiver DJ Chark will wear the number 4 for Detroit after wearing 17 the past few seasons in Jacksonville.

Safety DeShon Elliott initially wanted the number 7, which is retired by the Lions. He opted to stick to the single-digits and will wear number 5.

Cornerback Mike Hughes will wear number 23, which was previously held by Jeff Okudah.

Safety JuJu Hughes, who wore 46 and 23 for the Rams, will now wear 33 in Detroit.

Linebacker Jarrad Davis was able to receive the number 40, which he wore during his first stint in Detroit as well as throughout his collegiate career.

Linebacker Chris Board will don the number 49, which he held during his time with the Baltimore Ravens.

After wearing 46 – a much less-popular number for tight ends – while in New Orleans, Garrett Griffin will wear 86 with the Lions.

Several returning members of the Lions have changed their jersey numbers as well.

Former first-round pick Jeff Okudah will have his third jersey number in as many years as he swaps out his 23 for number 1, which he wore at Ohio State.

With Elliott taking 5, kicker Aldrick Rosas will now don number 13. Fellow kicker Austin Seibert gave up number 4 and will now sport 19. Mark Gilbert gave up his number 40 to Davis and will now wear 29.

On the defensive line, Michael Brockers switched to number 90, which he wore during his time with the Rams. Second-year player Levi Onwuzurike will change from 75 to 91, a much more apt number for a starting defensive tackle. Bruce Hector also changed out of his number in the 70’s and will now wear 92.

The full list of new numbers and changes are as followed:

Jeff Okudah – 1 (previously 23)

DJ Chark – 4

DeShon Elliott – 5

Aldrick Rosas – 13 (previously 5)

Austin Seibert – 19 (previously 4)

Mike Hughes – 23

Mark Gilbert – 29 (previously 40)

JuJu Hughes – 33

Jarrad Davis – 40

Chris Board – 49

Garrett Griffin – 86

Michael Brockers – 90 (previously 91)

Levi Onwuzurike – 91 (previously 75)

Bruce Hector – 92 (previously 76)

 

 

New Lions receive their numbers amongst several jersey changes

KhaDarel Hodge and Austin Seibert picked out their numbers while several other Lions changed their jersey numbers

With plenty of options to choose from following roster cuts, the new members of the Detroit Lions were given their jersey numbers for the upcoming season.

Wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge will wear number 18, which was previously worn in Detroit by Geronimo Allison. Hodge was claimed off of waivers by the Lions just a day after he was cut by the Cleveland Browns.

After releasing both of their kickers, Detroit put in a claim for Austin Seibert to fill the void at the position. Seibert will wear number 4, which was just donned by his predecessor Randy Bullock. Seibert also wore that number during his time in Cleveland.

Acquired in a recent trade with the Denver Broncos, wide receiver Trinity Benson will sport the number 17 in Detroit.

On the practice squad, Steven Montez was given the number 19 — one that is seldom worn by quarterbacks. Cornerback Parnell Motley will wear 29 and edge rusher Jessie Lemonier will wear 52. Tight ends Jared Pinkney and Shane Zylstra were given numbers 82 and 84, respectively.

Two members on the 53-man roster also switched their jersey numbers.

Linebacker Austin Bryant, who has worn 94 in Detroit for the last two seasons, has moved into the single-digits and will now play with the number 2 on his jersey.

Defensive back Bobby Price switched his number to 27 after making the roster due to him and long snapper Scott Daly both sharing 47 during training camp.

Cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman, who was signed to the practice squad, will now wear the number 1 instead of 43, which he held for the last few weeks.

 

It appears Jeff Okudah has changed to jersey No. 23

Lions CB Jeff Okudah appears to be changing to jersey No. 23 from No. 30

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When the Lions signed running back Jamaal Williams, there were indications he was taking over jersey No. 30 with his new team. The man who wore 30 in 2020, cornerback Jeff Okudah, willingly gave it up for Williams, who came to Detroit after donning No. 30 for Green Bay.

It appears Okudah has found his new number. In the official NFL merchandise store, Okudah’s Lions jersey is on sale with the No. 23. The NFL Shop is the officially licensed merchandise and wouldn’t offer the jersey with the new number without reason.

Okudah is still listed as wearing No. 30 on the Lions roster as of April 3rd, but that could be updated soon.

No Williams jerseys are on sale as of yet.

Jamaal Williams will wear jersey No. 30, which means a change for Jeff Okudah

Okudah indicated he’s changing jersey numbers for his second season with the Lions

Freshly signed free agent running back Jamaal Williams is going to keep the same No. 30 jersey he donned with the Green Bay Packers now that he’s in Detroit. Williams’ media manager made the announcement that the RB is taking over No. 30 in Detroit over the weekend.

That means last year’s No. 30, cornerback Jeff Okudah, is due for a jersey change. And Okudah himself verified (sort of) the pending change in a social media exchange with a fan who was looking to purchase a jersey. He told a fan “You’re NOT safe brother lol,” when asked if if was safe to go ahead and buy a No. 30 Okudah jersey.

Okudah has some choices to make. No. 23 is now available with Desmond Trufant’s release. So are Justin Coleman’s old No. 27 and Jayron Kearse’s 42 now that both are ex-Lions. Okudah rocked No. 1 in college at Ohio State but that number doesn’t meet NFL guidelines for a defensive back.

Jake Smith sports a new jersey number

Texas’ offense is set to have a breakout season. One of the candidates to have the biggest role is WR, Jake Smith, will have a new number.

Texas’ offense is set to have a breakout season with new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich. One of the candidates to play the biggest role is wide receiver, Jake Smith.

Dawning No. 16 during his freshman season, the now sophomore will have a new number on his jersey this season. Smith will be switching to No. 7 and sharing the number with junior safety Caden Sterns.

Smith caught 25 passes for 274 yards and six touchdowns last season. With Devin Duvernay off to the NFL, the sophomore is going to become Texas’ main slot receiver. He and Jordan Whittington will fight for playing time, but Smith has a year of experience.

The taking of No. 7 explains why graduate transfer Tarik Black will be wearing No. 0 for Texas. During his three seasons at Michigan, Black wore No. 7. Now, he will be the first player to ever sport the unique number for the Texas Longhorns.

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Report: Patriots will have new uniforms in 2020

The Patriots will undergo a uniform change for 2020.

The New England Patriots will don a new permanent jersey in the 2020 season, according to multiple reports Tuesday. For the first time since Bill Belichick took over in New England, the Patriots won’t wear their navy blue uniforms on a full-time basis.

The Patriots have rotated alternative jerseys a few times in the past two decades. In 2002, they brought back the classic red “Pat Patriot” uniforms and wore them again sparingly from 2007-2012. The following year, they introduced the silver alternate that they wore at least once per season through 2007. And, in 2014, when the NFL teamed up with Nike, the league began their color rush initiative, giving teams two additional alternates.

The Patriots haven’t worn anything but their home, away, or color rush jerseys since 2012. Now, they may still keep the color rush and use some alternates, but a new jersey is on its way.

However, ESPN’s Mike Reiss has reported that changes to the uniforms “won’t be dramatic.” So, don’t expect the Patriots to come out in 2020 with yellow and blue uniforms or change their logos.

New England isn’t the only team to make a change to their appearance this offseason. Both the Rams and Chargers are receiving new uniforms and logos, while the Falcons, Buccaneers, and Browns are unveiling just uniforms.

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