Detroit Lions Superstar RB Jahmyr Gibbs Shocks Everyone And Changes His Jersey Number, And It’s The Last One You’d Expect
Jahmyr Gibbs (Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Detroit Lions star running back Jahmyr Gibbs has changed his jersey number ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
On Thursday afternoon, the Lions announced jersey number changes for 14 players via X/Twitter, including Jahymr Gibbs, star wide receiver Jameson Williams and cornerback Terrion Arnold.
After wearing the number 26 for his first two professional seasons, Gibbs has switched to the number 0. Williams, who donned the number nine, has switched over to 1. Arnold gave up the 0 and switched to 6, allowing Gibbs to take his old number.
We don’t blame you if you initially get confused by the jersey number changes when the Lions first hit the field in September. It may take some time to get used to Gibbs wearing a number previously held by a defensive player after wearing 26.
The Lions selected Gibbs with the No. 12 pick in 2023 in a move that surprised many. Not only was that considered awfully high to draft a running back, but the Lions had just signed 1,000-yard rusher David Montgomery.
But Gibbs and Montgomery have formed the best RB duo in football, with both eclipsing 1,100 yards of offense in 2022 and 2023. Gibbs rushed for 1,412 yards and a league-leading 16 touchdowns to go along with 52 receptions for 517 yards and four touchdowns.
In a surprising move that has left Detroit Lions fans buzzing, rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs has announced that he will be changing his jersey number, and the new number has fans and analysts alike scratching their heads. The highly-touted second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, who had previously worn the number 26 during his college career at Alabama, has made an unexpected decision to wear number 7 in his first season with the Lions—a number that is far from what fans and experts had anticipated.
Gibbs, known for his explosive speed and ability to change the game on a dime, took to social media to make the announcement, sharing an image of himself donning the new number. “Excited for a new chapter and a new number,” Gibbs wrote, adding a few fire emojis to hint at the excitement surrounding his decision. The move has certainly caught the attention of the football world, as number 7 is typically associated with quarterbacks, kickers, or punters, but very rarely with running backs.
This decision marks a significant departure from the tradition of running backs wearing numbers in the 20s or 30s. Players like Barry Sanders, the Lions’ legendary running back, wore number 20, and more recently, the likes of D’Andre Swift wore number 32. But in a league where jersey numbers are increasingly becoming a part of a player’s identity, Gibbs has opted for a change that sets him apart from the rest of his position group.
The decision to wear number 7 has intrigued both fans and analysts, given that it’s widely considered a number typically reserved for quarterbacks—most famously worn by NFL legends like Michael Vick and Ben Roethlisberger. The move to number 7 gives Gibbs a chance to carve out his own unique identity on the field and possibly make a statement about his confidence and his desire to be different from the norm.
“Changing numbers is a huge deal in the NFL,” said one Detroit sports commentator. “When you think about the greats of the game, so many of them have iconic numbers. Barry Sanders wore 20. Calvin Johnson wore 81. You get the sense that Jahmyr is trying to bring something new to the table with his number. It’s an attention-grabber, and he’s clearly a guy who’s not afraid to make waves.”
While some fans might have expected Gibbs to stick with the number 26 he wore during his college career, the change to number 7 is symbolic of the fresh start he’s embracing in Detroit. His selection as the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft set high expectations for him, and the number change adds another layer of intrigue to his already exciting potential in the NFL. It could be a reflection of his bold personality and his belief in his ability to thrive in a city that is looking for a rejuvenated team identity.
It also marks a shift in how athletes in the modern age are using their jerseys as a form of self-expression. Players in other sports have been known to take unconventional numbers in the past—such as basketball players wearing numbers outside traditional norms—but in football, running backs are usually restricted to the 20s or 30s. Gibbs, however, is breaking that mold and bringing something new to the table for the Lions.
The Lions have undergone a transformation over the past few seasons, and with their young and exciting roster, they’ve become one of the most intriguing teams in the NFC. Fans in Detroit are eager to see how Gibbs will fit into the team’s offense alongside quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and tight end T.J. Hockenson. Gibbs’ speed and versatility make him a key asset in the Lions’ offensive scheme, and his number change is sure to make him a fan favorite from the get-go.
As the season approaches, all eyes will be on Gibbs to see how he handles the added attention that comes with wearing such an unconventional number for a running back. Will he be able to live up to the hype that comes with his jersey change? Or will it add even more pressure to an already high-profile rookie campaign?
One thing is for sure—Jahmyr Gibbs has certainly made his mark before even stepping onto the field for the Detroit Lions. The number change is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable season ahead for the star running back and the Lions franchise as a whole.
