This week, the 2023 Patriots take the field for the first time for their OTA practices. They’ve been on the field since Monday, with Thursday’s practice set to be the first with media access.
Watching the team at practice – whether it be for reporters in person or fans on video – is much easier when knowing what number everybody is wearing. The Patriots helped take care of that on Wednesday, announcing the numbers for all the newly-acquired veterans (plus a few number changes from returning players) on the 2023 team. Here’s a look at who is wearing what.
RB James Robinson: No. 3
Dec 4, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Jets running back James Robinson (23) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
After wearing Nos. 23, 25, and 30 during the early part of his career, Robinson moves to a single-digit number with the Patriots. He’ll be just the seventh Patriots player ever to wear the No. 3, which became available after Jabrill Peppers switched out of it (more on that in a second). Besides Peppers, the number had only been worn by specialists – most notably Stephen Gostkowski from 2006-2019.
S Jabrill Peppers: No. 5
Nov 6, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers (3) reacts with safety Devin McCourty (32) during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Last year, No. 5 was taken by Brian Hoyer. It’s now open, so Peppers can switch to the number he wore during his legendary college career at Michigan. Prior to Hoyer, the number hadn’t been worn in a game by a Patriots player since Shayne Graham in 2010. In fact, the most notable Patriots No. 5 might have been Tim Tebow, who was assigned the number during his brief stint with the team during the 2013 preseason.
WR Juju Smith-Schuster: No. 7
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 23: JuJu Smith-Schuster #9 of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
In college and in Kansas City, Smith-Schuster wore the No. 9 currently taken by Matthew Judon. He could have switched to the No. 19 he wore with the Steelers, but instead elected to stay with the single digit look and go with No. 7. Punter Jake Bailey wore the number last year, with other notable No. 7s including Jacoby Brissett, Michael Bishop, Hugh Millen, and Charlie Gogolak.
P Corliss Waitman: No. 15
Nov 27, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Denver Broncos punter Corliss Waitman (17) kicks the ball during pregame warmups against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
After wearing No. 10 and 17 to begin his NFL career, and 87 in college, Waitman will get 15 with the Patriots. That number was Nelson Agholor’s last year, while the most successful Patriots No. 15 is Babe Parilli, the team’s quarterback for most of the 1960s.
QB Trace McSorley: No. 19
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 27: Trace McSorley #19 of the Arizona Cardinals throws a pass during a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at Nissan Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
McSorley wore No. 9 in college at Penn State, but like he did in Arizona ends up with No. 19 in New England. Last year, that number belonged to practice squad quarterback Garrett Gilbert, and hasn’t been worn in a game since receiver Isaiah Zuber made two appearances in 2020.
LB Chris Board: No. 45
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 11: Chris Board #49 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after a play during the second half in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Ford Field on September 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
In his five-year NFL career, Board had only worn No., 49. That’s taken by long snapper Joe Cardona in New England, so he’s making the change to No. 45. Cameron McGrone had No. 45 last year, while cornerback Michael Jackson was the last to wear the number for the Patriots in 2020. The most successful Patriots No. 45 being Otis Smith, who wore it during the Super Bowl XXXVI run.
LB Olakunle Fatukasi: No. 47
Aug 20, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi (53) sacks Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis (7) at Nissan Stadium. Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
After wearing Nos. 51 and 53 during his two previous NFL stops, Fatukasi gets No. 47 with the Patriots. Fullback Jakob Johnson was the last Patriots to wear that number, with other notable No. 47s including Michael Hoomanawanui, defensive back Billy Johnson, and running back Robert Edwards.
OT Riley Reiff: No. 74
Nov 6, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears offensive lineman Riley Reiff (71) blocks against the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field. Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
For the first 11 years of his career, Reiff had worn No. 71. Currently, that number is taken by Mike Onwenu in New England, so he’s switching to 74. Defensive lineman LaBryan Ray had that number last year on the practice squad, with tackle Korey Cunningham the last Patriots player to wear it in a game in 2020. Offensive tackle Shelby Jordan, who was with the team in the late 70s and early 80s, is arguably the most successful Patriots No. 74.
OT Calvin Anderson: No. 76
Sep 19, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Calvin Anderson (76) against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
With Isaiah Wynn leaving in free agency, Anderson was able to get No. 76 – the only number he’s worn in his three-year NFL career. The Patriots have a long history of offensive linemen having success in No. 76, such as Charley Long, Brian Holloway, and Sebastian Vollmer.
TE Mike Gesicki: No. 88
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – AUGUST 20: Mike Gesicki #88 of the Miami Dolphins heads upfield after making a catch during the second quarter of the preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Hard Rock Stadium on August 20, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
As a rookie in Miami Gesicki wore No. 86, when switched to No. 88 for the next four years. With Scotty Washington changing his number Gesicki gets to stick with that number in New England. No. 88 has been an up-and-down tight end number for the Patriots in recent years, with the list including players such as Christian Fauria, Kyle Brady, Matthew Mulligan, Scott Chandler, and Martellus Bennett. The most successful No. 88 for the Patriots all-time is likely wide receiver Terry Glenn.
