Devonta Freeman had a problem. Beyond going turncoat in the infamous Atlanta Falcons-New Orleans Saints rivalry, he had to pick a new jersey number — all of his previous choices were unavailable. He wore No. 24 with the Falcons (claimed by backup running back Dwayne Washington) and No. 31 on the New York Giants (already taken by undrafted defensive back Bryce Thompson), and the wrong choice could kill his chances of making the team before he even took the field for practice. After all, everyone knows your jersey’s aesthetics are more important than actual skill and ability. Right?
Anyway: Freeman took No. 34, which was previously assigned to rookie running back Stevie Scott III. Scott is now wearing No. 39, which doesn’t bode well for his chances of making the cut. That number hasn’t been right since Brandon Browner used it on an infamously-terrible Saints defensive effort. Freeman was eligible to wear No. 8, which he used in college at Florida State, but the Saints must have told him that wasn’t an option. Archie Manning remains the only player in franchise history to use it.
The same can’t be said for Marques Colston’s No. 12 jersey, though. That was snatched up by recently re-signed wideout Tommylee Lewis, who had previously picked No. 6. But when Marquez Callaway switched to No. 1 (freeing up No. 12), Lewis picked his fifth jersey with the Saints, adding to his past stints in Nos. 87, 11, 14, and 6. He never actually wore No. 6 — Alvin Kamara did, though — but it does work as a footnote to his Saints career.
So what gives? Why are the Saints bending over backwards to protect Manning’s legacy as the third-best quarterback in team history behind Drew Brees and Aaron Brooks? His jersey is off-limits but Colston’s isn’t as the greatest receiver to ever wear the fleur-de-lis? If that’s the case, Lewis may as well lean into it and take Brees’ vacated No. 9 while he’s here on his fourth or fifth tour.
This weird decision continues on with other jersey numbers for Pro Football Hall of Famers like Rickey Jackson’s No. 57 (assigned to long-shot linebacker Noah Spence) and Willie Roaf’s No. 77 (currently worn by backup defensive tackle Jalen Dalton). Even Steve Gleason’s iconic No. 37 is still in circulation (with practice squad running back Tony Jones Jr.). The Saints have given more respect to Manning than to much more deserving and better-accomplished players, and, at best, it’s weird.
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