Bengals free agent addition receives thoughtful favor from one of his youngest teammates before ever practicing with him
Matt Lee was the last draft pick the Cincinnati Bengals made last year. He didn't have a large variety of jersey numbers to choose from once he got to Cincinnati, but he landed on the No. 62. That's the same number Lucas Patrick, one of the Bengals' newest free agent additions, has worn for his […]
Matt Lee was the last draft pick the Cincinnati Bengals made last year. He didn't have a large variety of jersey numbers to choose from once he got to Cincinnati, but he landed on the No. 62.
That's the same number Lucas Patrick, one of the Bengals' newest free agent additions, has worn for his entire career. And it will continue to be the number on his jersey thanks to Lee doing him a solid.
Bengals announce new jersey numbers for free agents
Cincinnati has unveiled which numbers its newest players will be wearing for the 2025 season. The team begins voluntary workouts Monday, April 21, so each new player will need a jersey to wear starting then.
The team revealed Lee ended up making a switch to No. 65 while Patrick has been given his No. 62 from him.
- 24 – CB Marco Harris
- 34 – RB Samaje Perine
- 42 – LB Oren Burks
- 53 – LB Joe Giles-Harris
- 62 – G Lucas Patrick
- 65 – C Matt Lee
- 98 – DT T.J. Slaton
Patrick would not have been able to get his normal jersey number without Lee giving it up to him, so this was a nice gesture from the 23-year old Lee to one of the team's newest and oldest players. Patrick, who turns 32 in July, has been in the league since 2015.
Lee and Patrick figure to be working close to one another this year. The former is slated to be Ted Karras' backup at center for the second consecutive season while the latter may be starting next to Karras at either left or right guard. If Patrick loses his starting battle, he'll likely be paired next to Lee in the second-team offensive line configuration.
Patrick has also played a healthy amount of center snaps and could provide relief for Lee during training camp and regular season practices. It never hurts to be too deep at any o-line position.
As for Lee's new jersey, the No. 65 was the number Alex Cappa wore for the Bengals since 2022. Cappa was released by the team prior to free agency. Lee wore the No. 55 jersey in college, so the change does bring him a little bit closer to his roots.
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