Chicago Bears release initial jersey numbers for the rookie class, including one major development that will shock some fans
The Chicago Bears officially welcomed the seven man rookie class and 13 man undrafted free agent signings to Halas Hall this week for the official start of rookie minicamp set to be held all weekend.
The Chicago Bears officially welcomed the seven man draft class, 13 undrafted free agent signings, and more to Halas Hall this week for the start of rookie minicamp.
It’s an exciting time to welcome the new faces to Chicago, with more potentially to be signed after trying out with the team this weekend. Part of the initiation process included the rookies choosing their new jersey numbers, which is always a big deal for the fans.
Here are the initial numbers for the rookie class and it’s worth noting that numbers can still be changed once cuts are made ahead of the start of the season (like we saw last year with Luther Burden III changing from #87 to #10).
Chicago Bears rookies reveal their initial numbers during first day of rookie minicamp
The first notable number fans might take offense to is second-round center Logan Jones rocking the #54, which formerly belonged to Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher.
When Urlacher retired in 2012, the number was unofficially retired for the franchise legend and hasn’t been used since, until now. However, Jones made sure to get permission first and showed the up-most respect for Urlacher.
“It’s such an honor to be able to wear that number,” Jones told reporters after practice on Friday. “I came in and Tony, the equipment guy, he was joking with me about it and what not and he’s been here such a long time. He’s like, ‘I think it would be really cool.’ And obviously it really is to be able to do that and to be able to honor his number and who he is. When you think of the Chicago Bears, that’s who you think of. To see that number out in practice, it just let’s everyone think, ‘oh that was Brian Urlacher’ so just supporting his memory and letting everyone see the legacy he left. To be able to wear that number is really cool and hopefully I get the chance to meet him one day too.”
Moving on to Dillon Thieneman, the team’s first-round pick. He’s going to remain in the number #31 that he wore at Oregon and Purdue. It’s also the same number All-Pro safety Kevin Byard III wore for Chicago over the previous two seasons, so it’ll be nice to see Thieneman honoring KB as well. But, there’s more to it than that.
“It’s like a combination of my brothers’ numbers in college,” Thieneman explained. “Oldest brother was 41, other brother was 38. So, I kind of just combined them into 31.”
Here’s some other interesting nuggets. Linebacker Keyshaun Elliott will be wearing #49 last worn by former starting linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. Wide receiver Zavion Thomas is wearing #81 last worn by former tight end Durham Smythe (although I could see Thomas switching into a more sleek number like Burden did). Tight end Sam Roush is wearing #87 last worn (in a game) by tight end Chase Allen. Cornerback Malik Muhammad is wearing #24 last worn by Nick McCloud. Defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg is wearing #96 last worn by Jonathan Ford and Zacch Pickens (also Akiem Hicks’ former number).
Last one because it’s cool, even if they’re just tryout players, Josh Kreutz (#57) and Jai Williams (#71) are wearing the same numbers their fathers (Olin Kreutz and James “Big Cat” Williams) wore when they each played for the Bears.
We’ll see if any of these numbers change as the offseason continues. But, it’s exciting to finally see these guys out on the field rocking a Bears uniform.