45 Vikings Players Get New Jersey Numbers
The Minnesota Vikings have undergone tremendous change this offseason, a punctuation mark to general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s competitive rebuild process that began in 2022.
45 Vikings Players Get New Jersey Numbers
Before the 2024 NFL Draft, Minnesota watched 16 players from the 2023 roster sign with new teams while 14 veteran newcomers autographed on the purple team’s dotted line. Then, seven players were onboarded from the draft, with 17 more undrafted free agents joining the roster from the open rookie market.
So on Tuesday, the club revealed jersey numbers and changes for the 90-man roster, an announcement affecting 45 players.
These are the jersey numbers for veteran free agents and newcomer draftees:
- Shaq Griffin = No. 1
- J.J. McCarthy = No. 9
- Trent Sherfield = No. 11
- Sam Darnold = No. 14
- Dallas Turner = No. 15
- A.J. Green III = No. 28
- Khyree Jackson = No. 31
- Aaron Jones = No. 33
- Andrew Van Ginkel = No. 43
- Will Reichard = No. 46
- Seth Vernon = No. 49
- Levin Drake Rodriguez = No. 50
- Blake Cashman = No. 51
- Jihad Ward = No. 52
- Kamu Grugier-Hill = No. 54
- Jonathan Greenard = No. 58
- Michael Jurgens = No. 65
- Dan Feeney = No. 69
- Walter Rouse = No. 78
- Jonah Williams = No. 92
- John Parker Romo = No. 96
- Jerry Tillery = No. 99
Minnesota used Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft to select quarterback J.J. McCarthy of Michigan and outside linebacker Dallas Turner from Alabama. Virtually no Vikings fan believed both men were attainable, as general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was expected to trade his 1st-Round assets for a quarterback of the future.
But on draft night, McCarthy slid to pick No. 10, where the young executive pulled the trigger on a trade with the New York Jets — while keeping his 23rd overall pick in-house. He then picked Turner after an expensive trade to the 17th spot with the Jacksonville Jaguars. McCarthy and Turner will now carry over their collegiate numbers to the pros.
Notably, Aaron Jones ported over his number (33) from the Green Bay Packers, and Jerry Tillery will wear Daniele Hunter’s No. 99. Van Ginkel, too, a new EDGE rusher, retained his number (43) from the Miami days.
These are the undrafted free agents’ number choices:
- Devron Harper = No. 35
- Donovan Manuel = No. 40
- Trey Knox = No. 41
- K.J. Cloyd = No. 45
- Dwight McGlothern = No. 47
- Dallas Gant = No. 48
- Owen Porter = No. 57
- Gabriel Murphy = No. 59
- Jeremy Flax = No. 63
- Doug Nester = No. 72
- Matt Cindric = No. 73
- Spencer Rolland = No. 74
- Jeshaun Jones = No. 82
- Ty James = No. 85
- Taki Taimani = No. 94
- Tyler Manoa = No. 95
- Bo Richter = No. 98
Of the bunch, Murphy is expected to make the 53-man roster, so get familiar with No. 59
Finally, these men changed numbers:
- Ivan Pace Jr.: No. 40 to No. 0
- Brian Asamoah: No. 33 to No. 2
- Trishton Jackson: No. 9 to No. 8
- Ryan Wright: No. 14 to No. 17
- Malik Knowles: No. 81 to No. 19
- NaJee Thompson: No. 11 to No. 36
Yes, Trishton Jackson will wear Kirk Cousins’ number.
Vikings rookie minicamp begins on Friday.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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