Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams headline Lions players who are changing numbers

On the heels of free agent signings and departures from teams, we've entered a time where players change their current jersey number or get a new jersey number on their new team. On Thursday, the Detroit Lions announced new numbers for several players.

Here are the new numbers for players who suited up for the Lions last season.

• 0- RB Jahmyr Gibbs (wore No. 26 previously)
• 1-WR Jameson Williams (wore No. 9 previously)
• 12-WR Tim Patrick (wore No. 17 previously)
• 96-EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad (wore No. 69 previously)
• 99-DT Brodric Martin (wore No. 96 previously)
• 6-CB Terrion Arnold (wore No. 0 previously)
• 9- CB Ennis Rakestraw (wore No. 15 previously)
• 26-DB Morice Norris (wore No. 40 previously)

And here are the numbers the Lions' free agent signings will have for the 2025 season.

• 4-CB DJ Reed
• 10-WR Ronnie Bell
• 88-TE Kenny Yeboah
• 51-DT Roy Lopez
• 51-LB Grant Stuard

Norris is taking Gibbs' old number.

Arnold is taking No. 6, which was opened up by the free agency departure of Ifeatu Melifonwu.

Rakestraw teased a number change via an Instagram live video earlier this offseason, and indeed he'll change from No. 15 during his rookie season to No. 9 (Williams' old number) next season.

Reed wore No. 4 for the New York Jets the last two seasons there, and he'll continue to wear it as a Lion.

Patrick is switching from No. 17 to No. 12, which he wore in college at Utah.

Martin initially switched to 99 last year, but he sold the right to wear it to Za’Darius Smith after Smith was acquired at the trade deadline. With Smith having been released, Martin has the number again.

Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams among Lions with new jersey numbers

Right after cornerback Jeff Okudah was traded in 2023, Williams made it clear he wanted No. 1, the number he wore at Alabama. Now he's got it, finally.

Jahmyr Gibbs will switch to No. 0, which Arnold wore last year as a rookie. Gibbs will be the third Lion to wear No. 0 since the league allowed it be worn again in 2023, following Marvin Jones and Arnold.

Gibbs quickly posted on Instagram about his number change, expressing relief he will no longer wear No. 26.

Here's a hypothetical visual of Gibbs and Williams wearing their new numbers.

Lions fans who bought a Gibbs' No. 26 or a Williams' No. 9 jersey from Fanatics are out of luck regarding the company's jersey replacement thing (h/t to Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports for the reminder), since it only applies if a player is traded. But it feels pretty safe to buy a No. 0 Gibbs' jersey or a No. 1 Williams' jersey, since they'll hold those numbers for years to come (?), and they are now in line to be the top two-selling Lions' jerseys this year.