News » Three numbers belonged to Lombardi-era Hall of Famers

White Jace Sternberger Jersey , while two were recent fan favorites."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCDTShareTweetShareSharePackers assign jersey numbers to 2019 NFL Draft class, with 52 and 87 among them“Bro, they gave our numbers away!”Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY SportsIt really is the dawning of a new day in Green Bay. For years, Green Bay Packers fans had watched Clay Matthews and Jordy Nelson take the field wearing 52 and 87 in green and gold. In 2019, however, things will look very different, as both of those numbers will belong to members of the team’s 2019 draft class.Rashan Gary and Jace Sternberger will have plenty of recent success to live up to when they put on those jerseys this year. Interestingly, several members of the Packers’ draft class wore single-digit numbers in college — Gary among them. They of course had to get new numbers to meet the NFL’s uniform regulations. Here’s a look at the new numbers for each of these new Packers and the history that comes with each one.Rashan Gary, OLB (1.12): #52It’s going to be weird seeing Clay Matthews’ old number on a different face this season, but at least it’s staying at the same position rather than going over to the offensive line. Hopefully Gary can be as productive early in his career as Matthews was — the former USC Trojan had 23.5 sacks in his first two years. Of course, Matthews had high marks to live up to as well, as it belonged to longtime center Frank Winters before him.Matthews just found out about the number assignment, though, and he had some fun with it:Darnell Savage, S (1.21): #26Cornerback Bashaud Breeland wore number 26 most recently, donning that last season. However, the best Packer to wear 26 is not in question — that would be Herb Adderley, who now has a minor connection to both of the Packers’ first-round picks. He wore 26 from 1961 to 1969 after being the 12th overall pick (like Gary) in ‘61.Elgton Jenkins http://www.packerslockerroom.com/authentic-brett-hundley-jersey , G (2.44): #74The Packers’ second-round pick gets a number that has belonged to a pair of excellent defensive linemen in the past, though he’ll be on the other side of the trenches. Recently, Aaron Kampman wore 74 on his way to 54 sacks as a Packer; back in the Lombardi days it was Henry Jordan’s number for five All-Pro seasons and five NFL titles en route to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jace Sternberger, TE (3.75): #87Do we need to explain the recent history of number 87? Sternberger will have a lot to live up to in wearing the number most recently donned by Jordy Nelson. However, that number also belonged to a legendary Lombardi-era Packer: defensive lineman Willie Davis, also a Hall of Famer and also a five-time All-Pro.Kingsley Keke, DL (5.150): #96This number assignment likely means that Muhammad Wilkerson’s time in Green Bay is done, as that was his number last season. It also belonged to Mike Neal in the early part of this decade, Sean Jones probably had the most success in these digits, however, recording 24.5 sacks in three years with the Packers.Ka’Dar Hollman, CB (6.185): #2929 became available earlier this offseason when Kentrell Brice left as a free agent. Before him, Casey Hayward wore it, and the Packers should be thrilled if they get any similar sort of production from Hollman in his career. It also belonged to a trio of starting defensive backs in the team’s lean years: Al Matthews, Mike McCoy, and Ken Stills.Dexter Williams, RB (6.194): #22The Packers likely have some explaining to do with this number. Kapri Bibbs is also listed as wearing 22 on the team website, so presumably he will be giving up these digits. There are other available numbers in the 20s Ty Summers Jersey Mens , 30s, and 40s: 35, 39, 41, 47, and 48 are all currently unclaimed.This number has been handed off to a variety of running backs and defensive backs over the years, but the most notable players to wear it were running back Elijah Pitts in the Lombardi years and starting cornerback Mark Lee in the 1980s.Ty Summers, ILB (7.226): #44For the second straight year, a linebacker will wear number 44 in Green Bay. Last year it was Antonio Morrison’s number after arriving from Indianapolis via trade. Before that, however, it was primarily a running back’s number, with James Starks, Najeh Davenport, and Donny Anderson all sporting it in their Packers careers. The Green Bay Packers still have plenty of steps to take before concluding their head-coaching search. However, they appear to have come away from Friday’s interview with New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels sufficiently impressed. According to the Milwaukee journal-Sentinel’s Tom Silverstein, McDaniels remains “very much in play with the Packers” following his interview. Meanwhile, Pro Football Talk reports that the Patriots have begun preparations for McDaniels departure.The pros and cons of McDaniels’ candidacy have grown into the topic du jour in Wisconsin since the conclusion of the Packers’ disastrous 2018 season. However, he seems to have sufficiently answered some of team president Mark Murphy and general manager Brian Gutekunst’s concerns during their initial interview. Silverstein reports that McDaniels “did not turn off Murphy and Gutekunst with a his-way-or-the-highway attitude Youth Ty Summers Jersey ,” an approach that contributed to his demise as the Denver Broncos’ coach nearly a decade ago. If McDaniels has learned from his mistakes, he could have a successful second act as a head coach.And it appears McDaniels does indeed want to coach the Packers. Pro Football Talk’s report notes that McDaniels “will only interview with teams that he’d be willing to coach,” adding that he would accept the job should Green Bay offer it. That tracks with earlier reports that McDaniels turned down an interview opportunity with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Packers will probably speak with their top candidates again before making a final decision. McDaniels cannot interview again until the Patriots fall out of the playoffs or the bye week before the Super Bowl, whichever comes first.It would seemingly take a fairly monumental shift to dislodge McDaniels as the Packers’ front-runner at this stage. Both parties have a history of shifting gears at the 11th hour, however. McDaniels infamously backed out of an agreement to become the Indianapolis Colts’ head coach last February, a decision that continues to dog him in some NFL circles. That same offseason, Murphy intended to tab Russ Ball as Green Bay’s next GM before resistance from Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers resulted in a pivot to Gutekunst. Until McDaniels has signed a contract, another change of heart remains on the table for one side or the other.Still, that seems less likely for either party this time around. McDaniels has every reason not to blow up another head-coaching opportunity following the debacle last year. The fact that one of the most successful offensive minds in the league received only two confirmed interview requests underscores the damage backing out of the Indy job has done to his reputation.As for the Packers, finding someone who can relate to Rodgers has become of paramount importance following the communication breakdown that formed between the quarterback and McCarthy. McDaniels has spent much of his professional career working alongside Tom Brady, a player Rodgers holds in the highest regard. That connection could pave the way to a fruitful coach-QB relationship.The Packers have plenty to consider as McDaniels prepares for his team’s divisional-round playoff game, including the other nine confirmed coaches they have interviewed. A few of those candidates should even receive a second meeting with Murphy and Gutekunst. However, it has become increasingly clear at this stage that McDaniels, with his r茅sum茅, skills, and apparently strong first impression, has positioned himself to land the job.