The Detroit Lions are gearing up for the 2025 NFL season with a fresh look, as running back Jahmyr Gibbs and wide receiver Jameson Williams headline a group of 14 players switching jersey numbers. The team announced the changes on Thursday, signaling a new chapter for two of its brightest offensive stars.
Jahmyr Gibbs, who has worn No. 26 since joining the Lions as a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, will now don No. 0. The switch marks a departure from his previous number and aligns him with a growing trend of skill position players embracing single-digit and zero jerseys, a flexibility introduced by the NFL in 2021. Meanwhile, Jameson Williams, a 2022 first-round selection, is trading in his No. 9 for No. 1âa number he famously wore during his standout 2021 season at Alabama, where he racked up 1,572 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.
The number changes come on the heels of breakout performances from both players in the 2024 season. Gibbs, dubbed “Sonic” for his electrifying speed, led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns and amassed 1,412 rushing yards, cementing his status as a cornerstone of Detroitâs offense. Williams, meanwhile, eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in his career, hauling in 58 passes for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns. Their contributions helped the Lions finish with a 15-2 record and secure the NFCâs top seed, though the team fell short of a Super Bowl appearance with a first-round playoff loss to the Washington Commanders.
Other notable number swaps include cornerback Terrion Arnold, who is moving from No. 0 to No. 6, freeing up the zero for Gibbs. Arnold, another Alabama alum, wore No. 0 during his rookie season in 2024. Second-year cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. will switch from No. 15 to No. 9, while safety Morice Norris takes over Gibbsâ former No. 26. The Lions also assigned numbers to recent free-agent additions, such as cornerback D.J. Reed (No. 4) and wide receiver Ronnie Bell (No. 10), rounding out the roster updates.
For Williams, the move to No. 1 carries personal significance. After the Lions traded cornerback Jeff Okudah in April 2023, Williams publicly expressed his desire to reclaim the number he wore at Alabama. However, it was briefly assigned to other players, including Maurice Alexander in 2024, before becoming available this offseason. Gibbs, who also wore No. 1 during his lone season at Alabama in 2022, opted for No. 0 insteadâperhaps a nod to his dynamic, game-changing presence on the field.
Lions fans are buzzing about the changes, with some seeing the new numbers as a symbolic fresh start for a team hungry to build on last seasonâs success. âGibbs at No. 0 and Williams at No. 1 just feels right,â said longtime fan Marcus Tate. âTheyâre our offensive firepower, and these numbers scream superstar.â
The jersey updates also pose a challenge for collectors, as Gibbsâ No. 26 and Williamsâ No. 9 jerseysâpopular items after their 2024 performancesâwill soon be outdated. The Lions have not yet announced plans for a jersey buyback program, leaving fans to decide whether to update their collections.