New York Jets rookie Breece Hall has a new jersey number
Many New York Jets observers did not take fondly to the initial jersey numbers that were announced for the team’s 2022 draft picks (in a tongue-in-cheek fashion). Jersey number connoisseurs – myself included – thought a few of the players received numbers that were not necessarily the best fit for their aesthetic.
Fortunately for those meticulous fashion critics, changes have been arriving in a hurry. The initial numbers were always subject to change, and the Jets wasted no time executing a pair of critically-acclaimed switches.
The Jets announced last Tuesday that cornerback Sauce Gardner would be switching from No. 20 to No. 1, marking a return to the digit he donned at Cincinnati.
Now, running back Breece Hall appears to be following suit.
Hall’s initial number, 35, was the most widely criticized selection of the team’s seven rookies. It’s not a number that many successful NFL running backs have worn, and it feels like a number that would usually go to a backup.
The days of Hall in a 35 jersey are already over. On Monday, the Jets’ official website shared pictures from voluntary on-field workouts at the team facility. In multiple photos, Hall can be seen wearing a new number: 20.
Seems @BreeceH has made the switch from #35 to #20. Hall may have easily added 300-500 yds to his season total with this change. #Jets pic.twitter.com/qvonJ8y8sz
— NYTakeFlight (@NYTakeFlight) May 16, 2022
Of course, the No. 20 jersey was previously owned by Gardner prior to his switch. It is just one of many elements in a chain reaction of number changes we’ve seen recently.
The No. 1 jersey was previously owned by cornerback D.J. Reed. It appears that Gardner struck some sort of deal with Reed to acquire the number.
In turn, Reed switched to No. 4, pictured below.
🔒 #Jets #TakeFlight @Nyjets pic.twitter.com/S9ySX6IOqN
— NYJ Matt (@NYJ_Matt) May 16, 2022
It doesn’t stop there. The No. 4 was previously owned by kicker Greg Zuerlein. Since Reed took No. 4, Zuerlein has switched to No. 14, which you can see in the background of this photo above his locker.
https://twitter.com/Justin_Jets/status/1526265178987319300
Interestingly, the No. 14 was owned by wide receiver D.J. Montgomery until he was waived one week ago on May 9.
So, there you have it, folks. It appears the numbers game is starting to work itself out in Florham Park.
