Nick Foles gives Eagles rookie Makai Lemon his blessing to wear No. 9

The Philadelphia Eagles believe they have another dynamic weapon that could help them get back to the Super Bowl.

Wide receiver Makai Lemon, the Eagles’ first-round pick, picked a jersey number synonymous with winning in Philadelphia, and that’s all fans are thinking about at rookie minicamp on Thursday.

Lemon will wear No. 9, becoming the first player since Nick Foles to do so. Foles needs no introduction to those singing “Fly, Eagles, Fly” at the top of their lungs; he is a true sports folk hero who helped the team win its first Vince Lombardi Trophy during the 2017 season.

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The number may not have been retired, but Foles still gave Lemon the nod. Lemon appreciated the sentiment.

“I’m very grateful to the Eagles and especially Nick Foles for passing on that number because I know he could easily keep that number to himself,” Lemon told reporters at rookie minicamp on Thursday, per NBC Sports Philadelphia.

“He’s such a great player and he took them to the Super Bowl wearing No. 9 here. I appreciate him so much. I definitely value that a lot and I’m going to represent No. 9 well by wearing it. I’m going to represent the team well. I’m definitely excited to get that number.”

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The Eagles have never had a No. 9 pick since Foles left following the 2018 season. But Foles and Lemon spoke on the phone, and Foles told the latter he could be his if he wanted it.

“He wanted to give me this number, he wanted to talk to me before someone else told me,” Lemon added. “I appreciate him and hope I can meet him when he comes to the building soon.”

The Eagles were initially selecting the 23rd pick in this year’s NFL Draft, but when they saw Lemon fall down the draft board, they were called up to the 20th pick via trade, and GM Howie Roseman quickly told Lemon the good news.

Southern California’s Makai Lemon poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected 20th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)

In fact, there was a draft night debacle when the Pittsburgh Steelers, the owner of the No. 21 pick and the host of this year’s draft, got on the phone with Lemon in front of Acrisure Stadium and informed him that they would take him with their pick. But the Steelers didn’t know that the Eagles had traded up ahead of them to acquire the talented USC Trojans star, who won the Biletnikoff Award as college football’s top receiver in 2025.

Lemon wore No. 6 while at USC, but DeVonta Smith, another first-round pick the Eagles traded, is already rocking that number in the green and black. Smith wasn’t keen on change, so Lemon was looking for the lowest number possible from now on.

The number 9 was available, but with the history of the sacred Eagles behind it. Still, Lemon said it was the team’s suggestion that he potentially pick No. 9.

With trade rumors still swirling around Eagles Pro Bowl receiver AJ Brown, it’s unclear exactly what role Lemon will play in the club’s new offense this season. Kevin Patullo was fired this summer, leading to Sean Mannion accepting the offensive coordinator role.

Makai Lemon of the USC Trojans speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

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But Lemon has proven to be a versatile receiver, whether on contested deep throws or creating separation on short and intermediate routes for potential big gains.

Lemon’s first season with the Trojans in 2025 saw him earn All-American honors with 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns on 79 receptions in 12 games.

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