Eagles’ top pick Makai Lemon will wear Nick Foles’ No. 9
Wide receiver reached out to the former QB
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PHILADELPHIA — Eagles rookie minicamp began with the usual mix of nerves, new jerseys and first impressions. But the number on Makai Lemon’s back carried more weight than most.
The Eagles’ first-round pick revealed Thursday that he will wear No. 9 — the same number worn by Super Bowl LII MVP quarterback Nick Foles. Lemon said he reached out to the folk hero before making the decision and got the blessing he needed.
“It meant a lot,” Lemon said of the conversation. “That’s a special number in this city.”
No Eagle has worn No. 9 since Foles left the team after the 2018 season. (Foles officially retired as an Eagle in 2024.) The number became synonymous with Philadelphia’s first Super Bowl championship and the “Philly Special” play that helped defeat the Patriots. Lemon understands the history.
“I know what that number means here,” he said. “I’m going to do everything I can to represent it the right way.”
Lemon wore No. 6 at USC, but that number already belongs to Eagles wideout DeVonta Smith. The rookie wide receiver said the next-closest single-digit option was No. 9 — which he joked “looks like a flipped six.” Before making it official, he wanted to contact Foles out of respect for the franchise legend. The quarterback told him to go for it.
The symbolism stood out on a day otherwise focused on introductions. Lemon, the 20th overall pick in last week’s NFL draft, arrives in Philadelphia with high expectations. The former USC star won the 2025 Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top wide receiver after catching 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. At 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds, he’s known for sharp route running and yards-after-catch ability.
Philadelphia traded up to draft him, signaling a belief he can become a major piece of the offense. Lemon downplayed the pressure.
“I just want to come in, learn the playbook and earn the trust of the guys,” he said. “Everything else will take care of itself.”
Rookie minicamp marks the first on-field introduction for the Eagles’ entire 2026 draft class. Among the players with Lemon were developmental quarterback Cole Payton of North Dakota State, offensive lineman Micah Morris of Georgia, safety Cole Wisniewski of Texas Tech and edge rusher Keyshawn James-Newby of New Mexico. The group will spend the weekend installing basic schemes and getting acclimated to the team’s practice tempo.
The Eagles also made early progress with Lemon off the field. The team reportedly signed him to a fully guaranteed four-year rookie contract worth $20.8 million, including an $11.5 million signing bonus and a fifth-year option.
That quick deal removes one potential distraction and lets the rookie focus on football.
Lemon said the first few days in the building have already been a whirlwind.
“You walk in and see everything — the history, the trophies,” he said. “You realize what the standard is here.”
The number on his jersey serves as another reminder.
For years, No. 9 belonged to the quarterback who delivered the Eagles’ signature moment. Now the number returns to the field on a rookie receiver hoping to write the next chapter.
“He set the bar,” Lemon said. “Now it’s my job to go out and work.”
Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.