Patriots announce jersey numbers for their veteran offseason acquisitions

While they have not yet donned them alongside their teammates this offseason due to the Coronavirus pandemic forcing the cancelation of on-field workouts, the New England Patriots’ offseason acquisitions have been awarded their new jersey numbers. The team announced the numbers in a post on their social media channels:

The full list looks as follows:

2 — QB Brian Hoyer: Hoyer wore number 2 last offseason as well — he started his Patriots tenure back in 2009 donning the number 8 jersey — and returns it this year.

10 — WR Damiere Byrd: With Byrd’s previous numbers (14 and 18) both already taken, he decided to pick 10. This meant that former practice squad wide receiver Quincy Adeboyejo had to find a new number after wearing 10 last year. He did by switching to 19.

13 — WR Marqise Lee: Lee’s number in Jacksonville currently belongs to fellow wide receiver Julian Edelman, so he decided to move up two spots and take 13.

21 — S Adrian Phillips: In San Diego and Los Angeles, Phillips wore the No. 31 jersey that belongs to slot cornerback Jonathan Jones in New England. Instead, he will carry 21 on his jersey this year.

22 — S Cody Davis: Davis started his career with the Rams wearing 38, but he switched to 22 upon joining the Jaguars during the 2018 offseason. Two years later, he will keep that number.

41 — CB Lenzy Pipkins: The Patriots’ first outside addition of this year’s offseason wore numbers 37 and 41 over the course of his career so far. Seeing him take the only one of the two that was available is therefore no surprise.

45 — FB Danny Vitale: Like Davis, Vitale keeps the number that he wore over the last two seasons. He started his career donning his old college number 40 in Cleveland, but moved to 45 in Green Bay and now New England.

52 — LB Brandon Copeland: Copeland wore 95 in his first season with the New York Jets in 2015, and changed it to 51 over the last three years. Both numbers are currently occupied in New England, however, which prompted him to add one and go with 52.

94 — DT Beau Allen: Allen has worn 91 and 94 during his stints in Philadelphia and Tampa Bay. With 91 belonging to Deatrich Wise Jr., the choice was a simple one.

The Patriots’ rookie class has yet to receive its jersey numbers. The expectation, however, is that its members will again get jerseys in the 50s and 60s based on draft status. The team did the same last year, with the highest draft choice getting number 50 and so on. If New England goes that route, the youngsters will only get regular jersey numbers in preseason.