When the Philadelphia Eagles selected Makai Lemon with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, fans knew they were getting a dynamic playmaker. But what they didn't expect was that Lemon would also inherit a piece of franchise history. The rookie officially signed his contract on Thursday, and with the ink barely dry, the Eagles revealed his jersey number: No. 9.

That number holds a special place in the hearts of Eagles fans. It was last worn by none other than Nick Foles, the quarterback who delivered Philadelphia its first Super Bowl title and etched his name into legend with the iconic "Philly Special" play. Now, Lemon will be the first player to don No. 9 since Foles left the team.

But this wasn't just a random assignment. According to The Athletic's Zach Berman, Lemon personally spoke with Foles, who gave his blessing for the rookie to carry the number forward. In a city where loyalty and legacy mean everything, that's about as high a honor as you can get.

Lemon, who wore No. 14 in high school and No. 1 at USC, is stepping into new territory with this jersey change. It's a fresh start and a powerful symbol of the trust the organization and its legends have in him. For Eagles fans already buzzing about the season ahead, seeing No. 9 back on the field—with Foles' seal of approval—is the kind of story that makes football in Philadelphia so special.