Phase 1 of Adam Gase’s offseason program has officially begun and, with it, players are finalizing their numbers for 2019.
Gang Green’s biggest free agent signings, Le’Veon Bell and C.J. Mosley, may have been willing to change uniforms, but not numbers. Mosley spent the past five years wearing No. 57 for the Baltimore Ravens and has chosen to remain the same in New York. Bell, known as No. 26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers, waited a while longer to inherit it with the Jets.
For Bell to accept the No. 26 in Gotham Green, third-year safety Marcus Maye had to be willing to let it go. In a fortunate series of events, Maye’s collegiate number at Florida, No. 20, became available with the release of running back Isaiah Crowell. As a result, he will be taking on a new jersey for 2019.
Mike Maccagnan kicked off this offseason by making a trade for guard Kelechi Osemele out of Oakland. While he started out as No. 72 for the Ravens, Osemele spent the past three years getting accustomed to the No. 70 with the Raiders. He will be doing the same as a member of the Jets.
New York made another free agent signing in Brian Poole at cornerback. He spent his first three years in the NFL wearing No. 34 for the Falcons. Poole will accept that number, with fellow cornerback Jeremy Clark making the switch to No. 23.
Backup quarterback Trevor Siemian has chosen lucky 13 since his high school days in Florida. With new scenery comes a new number, however. Siemian decided to take on No. 19.
Rounding out the rest, Tom Compton will be No. 77, Chandler Catanzaro will don No. 7 and Josh Bellamy will hang on to No. 15.
The wildcard of the bunch resides with the signing of free agent wideout Jamison Crowder. No. 80 has not been issued to a player since Wayne Chrebet. Though not officially retired, it remains to be seen whether Crowder will wear the only number he’s known since entering the NFL.
Chances are, that’s not going to fly in New York.
