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The Philadelphia Eagles judge they person different move limb that tin thief them get backmost to nan Super Bowl.
Wide receiver Makai Lemon, nan Eagles’ first-round pick, chose a jersey number synonymous pinch winning successful Philadelphia, and that’s each fans are reasoning astir connected Thursday astatine rookie minicamp.
Lemon is going to beryllium wearing No. 9, becoming nan first subordinate since Nick Foles to do so. Foles needs nary preamble to those who singing "Fly, Eagles, Fly" astatine nan apical of their lungs — he is simply a existent sports people leader who helped nan squad triumph its first-ever Vince Lombardi Trophy during nan 2017 season.
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Nick Foles, nan Super Bowl-winning quarterback, gave Philadelphia Eagles first-round prime Makai Lemon his blessing to deterioration No. 9 to statesman his career. (GETTY)
The number whitethorn not person been retired, but Foles gave Lemon his blessing nonetheless. Lemon appreciated nan sentiment.
"I admit nan Eagles truthful overmuch and Nick Foles, especially, to walk that number down because I cognize he could person easy kept that number to himself," Lemon told reporters connected Thursday astatine rookie minicamp, per NBC Sports Philadelphia.
"Such a awesome subordinate erstwhile he was present wearing that No. 9, led them to nan Super Bowl. I admit him truthful much. I decidedly cherish that truthful much, and I’ll correspond nan No. 9 well, wearing it. I’ll correspond nan squad well. I’m conscionable ace excited to get that number for sure."
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The Eagles haven’t fixed retired No. 9 astatine each since Foles near aft nan 2018 campaign. But Foles and Lemon said connected nan phone, and nan erstwhile told nan second it was his if he wanted it.
"He wanted to walk that number over, wanted to speak to maine earlier anybody other told me," Lemon added. "I admit him, and hopefully I tin meet him soon erstwhile he’s astir nan building."
The Eagles were primitively picking No. 23 successful this year’s NFL Draft, but erstwhile they saw Lemon falling down nan draught board, they called up to No. 20 via trade, and GM Howie Roseman was speedy to show Lemon of nan bully news.
Makai Lemon of Southern California poses pinch NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell aft being selected 20th wide by nan Philadelphia Eagles during nan first information of nan 2026 NFL Draft astatine Acrisure Stadium successful Pittsburgh, Pa., connected April 23, 2026. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)
In fact, a draft-night fiasco occurred erstwhile nan Pittsburgh Steelers, owners of nan No. 21 prime and big of nan draught this twelvemonth extracurricular their Acrisure Stadium, were already connected nan telephone pinch Lemon to pass him they would beryllium taking him pinch their pick. The Steelers, though, didn’t cognize nan Eagles had traded successful beforehand of them to onshore nan talented USC Trojans star, who won nan Biletnikoff Award successful 2025 arsenic nan champion receiver successful assemblage football.
Lemon wore No. 6 while he was astatine USC, but different Eagles first-round prime who they traded up for, DeVonta Smith, already rocks that number successful greenish and black. Smith wasn’t keen connected switch, truthful Lemon was looking for nan lowest imaginable number aft that.
No. 9 was available, but location was ineffable Eagles history down it. Still, Lemon said it was nan team’s proposal for him to perchance take No. 9.
With waste and acquisition rumors still swirling astir Eagles Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown, it’s chartless precisely what domiciled Lemon will play successful a caller discourtesy for nan nine this season. Kevin Patullo was fired this offseason, starring nan measurement for Sean Mannion accepting nan violative coordinator role.
Makai Lemon of nan USC Trojans speaks to nan media during nan 2026 NFL Draft Combine astatine nan Indiana Convention Center successful Indianapolis, Indiana, connected Feb. 27, 2026. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
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But Lemon has proven to beryllium an all-around receiver, whether it’s hauling successful contested heavy shots aliases creating separation successful nan short and intermediate routes to group up imaginable large gains.
Lemon’s inferior play pinch nan Trojans successful 2025 led to an All-American nod, pinch 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns connected 79 receptions crossed 12 games.
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Scott Thompson is simply a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
