Philadelphia Eagles fans, get ready to see No. 9 back on the field—and it's not Nick Foles.

Makai Lemon, the Eagles' first-round pick from the 2026 NFL Draft, announced during a Thursday press conference ahead of rookie minicamp that he'll be wearing the iconic single-digit jersey. This is a major surprise, as No. 9 has been out of circulation since Super Bowl LII MVP Nick Foles left the team after the 2018 season. Many assumed the number might be retired or kept off-limits indefinitely.

Lemon, who wore No. 6 at USC, couldn't reclaim his college number because DeVonta Smith already owns it. But the rookie found a clever workaround: flipping No. 6 upside down gives you No. 9. "Really, I just wanted the lowest number possible that I could get, which was No. 9," Lemon said. "The Eagles brought that up, so I couldn't pass up on that one."

Before the decision was finalized, Lemon spoke directly with Foles over the phone. "I appreciate the Eagles so much—Nick Foles, especially—to pass that number down, because I know he easily could've kept that number to himself," Lemon said. "Such a great player when he was here, wearing that No. 9, led them to the Super Bowl. So, I appreciate him so much. I definitely cherish that. I'll represent the No. 9 well, wearing it and representing the team well." The rookie added that he's eager to meet Foles in person.

Bringing No. 9 back into rotation signals the Eagles' confidence in Lemon's potential. It's a major stock-up moment for the young receiver, and the visual of Smith in No. 6 alongside Lemon in No. 9 gives Philadelphia a sharp, unified look for its top two wideouts moving forward. For fans, it's a jersey worth watching—and wearing.