New York Jets newcomers’ jersey numbers revealed

New York Jets
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 29: A general view of a New York Jets helmet before a game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Jets beat the Bills 13 to 6. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

The New York Jets unveiled the numerals that their newcomers’ uniforms will bear for the 2020 season on Tuesday.

A majority of New York Jets newcomers unveiled their jersey numbers for the 2020 season.

Offensive line proceedings headlined the new numerals, with first-round pick Mekhi Becton donning No. 77. Becton’s number from Louisville, 73, has been retired by the Jets, putting him in need of a new jersey in more ways than one.

“I wanted to try something new because I didn’t feel right in 70. That’s my high school number and then 73 is retired,” Becton said in a statement to Eric Allen of the Jets’ website. “I feel like 77 is just a different journey, a new journey to start.”

Below, we have the new digits and your jersey planning guide for the Jets’ free agency and draft class.

No. 2: K Brett Maher

Competing with Sam Ficken for the kicker’s slot, Maher maintains his number from Dallas. A previous former Cowboy, Nick Folk, wore the number for the Jets and went on to hold the position for seven seasons.

Notable Jets Who Wore No. 2: K Nick Folk, K Jason Myers

No. 4: QB James Morgan

With his Florida International numerals taken by a certain Hall of Fame quarterback, Morgan has opted for single digits this time around. For all you math majors, if you subtract his original number at Bowling Green (16) from his numerals at FIU, you get his new Jets symbol.

Notable Jets Who Wore No. 4: QB Brett Favre, P Lac Edwards

New York Jets, Joe Flacco

Oct 17, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco (5) warms up before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

No. 5: QB Joe Flacco

Flacco retains the single-digit he wore en route to the Super Bowl in Baltimore. He also donned the number during his cameo in Denver last season.

Notable Jets Who Wore No. 5: K Pat Leahy

No. 7: P Braden Mann

The No. 34 Mann wore at Texas A&M was not only taken by cornerback Brian Poole but also barred from NFL usage by a specialist. Thus, he dons a number previously worn by a pair of prior Jets punters.

Notable Jets Who Wore No. 7: QB Ken O’Brien, QB Boomer Esiason, QB Geno Smith, P/QB Tom Tupa, P Ben Graham

No. 11: WR Denzel Mims

Those who went out and purchased new Robby Anderson jerseys last season and panicked when the latter went to Carolina need only a mere roll of duct tape and a Sharpie to make things right thanks to Mims. The second-round pick previously owned Flacco’s numeral at Baylor

Notable Jets Who Wore No. 11: WR Robby Anderson, K Jim Turner, WR Jeremy Kerley

No. 18: WR Josh Doctson 

Retaining his number from Washington, Doctson is certainly hoping for some longevity with it. Three consecutive receivers have spent single-year stints with No. 18 (ArDarius Stewart, Deontay Brunett, Demaryius Thomas)

Notable Jets Who Wore No. 18: QB Al Woodall

DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 15: Breshad Perriman #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers catches a fourth quarter touchdown as Tracy Walker #21 of the Detroit Lions gives chase during the fourth quarter of the game at Ford Field on December 15, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Tampa Bay defeated Detroit 38-17. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

No. 19: WR Breshard Perriman

Keyshawn Johnson took his Jets number to Tampa Bay, and now it appears Perriman will do the same as he makes the reverse trip up north. The number was left behind by Trevor Siemian’s departure.

Notable Jets Who Wore No. 19: WR Keyshawn Johnson, DB/PR Chris Farasopoulos, WR/KR Andre Roberts

New York Jets, La'Mical Perine

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: Lamical Perine #2 of the Florida Gators celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Virginia Cavaliers at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Florida defeated Virginia 36-28. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

No 22: RB Lamical Perine

The No. 2 he wore in Gainesville was outlawed for running backs by NFL standards, so Perine opted to simply double up in East Rutherford. Jets fans certainly hope he fares better than the previous bearer, the recently departed Trumaine Johnson.

Notable Jets Who Wore No. 22: DB Jim Hudson, DB Burgess Owens, DB Erik McMillan

No. 32: CB Ashtyn Davis

Rushers have previously worn Davis’ new number, but it now takes on a defensive tone. Davis previously wore No. 27 in college at Cal.

Notable Jets Who Wore No. 32: RB Emerson Boozer, RB Blair Thomas, RB Leon Johnson

No. 35: CB Pierre Desir

No. 35 is a relatively quiet numeral in the grand scheme of Jets history, but Desir is looking to change that. He won’t have to change his repertoire too much, having worn it in Indianapolis.

Notable Jets Who Wore No. 35: RB Mike Augustyniak, FB BJ Askew

No. 43: TE Ross Travis

You might expect the former Penn State basketball participants to suit up for the Knicks, but Travis instead joins up with the Jets from Indianapolis. He previously also wore No. 88 in Kansas City.

Notable Jets Who Wore No. 43: DB Michael Brim

No. 51: LB Patrick Onwuasor 

The newest Jets interior option moves up three digits from his number in Baltimore. It has held a strong history in the Jets’ linebacking corps.

Notable Jets Who Wore No. 51: LB Ralph Baker, LB Jonathan Vilma, LB Greg Buttle, LB Bryan Cox

No. 60: C Connor McGovern

McGovern has a lot to live up to in bringing his Denver number over to New York. It has previously been worn by several notable names on both offense and defense, including a Super Bowl champion linebacker (original bearer Larry Grantham).

Notable Jets Who Wore No. 60: LB Larry Grantham, G/T Dan Alexander, T D’Brickshaw Ferguson

No. 62: G Greg Van Roten

Van Roten’s No. 73 from Carolina will never be worn in New York again, retired for Joe Klecko. Instead, he’ll be the first Jet to wear No. 62 since Vlad Ducasse in 2013.

Notable Jets Who Wore No. 62: LB Al Atkinson, G/C Roger Duffy

No. 68: G Josh Andrews

It was in a No. 68 jersey in which Andrews was noticed by general manager Joe Douglas during their shared time in Philadelphia. He’ll redon the number upon their reunion in New York.

Notable Jets Who Wore No. 68: G Kevin Mawae, G/T Reggie McElroy, T Kelvin Beachum

No. 72: T Cameron Clark

Alex Lewis had his Charlotte number, so Clark moves one digit up for his new green jersey. There’s a somber hint upon the awarding of this number, previously worn by Super Bowl champion Paul Rochester, who passed away earlier this month.

Notable Jets Who Wore No. 72: T Chris Ward, DL Jason Ferguson, DT Paul Rochester

No. 76: T George Fant

No one holds Fant’s old No. 74 from Seattle, but he’s nonetheless moving up a couple of spots. Much like fellow bearer Jumbo Elliott, Fant has been known to go out for a pass a time or two.

Notable Jets Who Wore No. 76: T Jumbo Elliott

No. 77: T Mekhi Becton

A new era begins for Becton, who, Van Roten before him, previously wore Klecko’s famous digits while repping the ACC’s Cardinals. It was briefly wrong by Tom Compton last season.

No. 92: DE Jabari Zuniga

Zuniga was able to retain his college numerals from Florida. The spot was previously left open by the trade of Leonard Williams.

Notable Jets Who Wore No. 92: DE Shaun Ellis, DE Leonard Williams

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags