Kyle Williams sticking with 18, and more Patriots jersey number updates
The Patriots have made several jersey number changes.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 21: Kyle Williams #18 of the New England Patriots runs during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images The New England Patriots made some changes to their roster on Monday. As first reported by Mike Reiss of ESPN, they also made some updates to their jersey numbers — including Kyle Williams reversing a previous decision.
The second-year wide receiver moving from his rookie number 18 to 8 was announced earlier during offseason workouts. However, Williams has had a change of heart: instead of moving to wide receiver Stefon Diggs’ old number, which now remains unoccupied, he will stick with the digits that saw him catch 12 passes for 223 yards and a trio of touchdowns in 2025. That was one of five jersey number updates on Monday.
18: WR Kyle Williams 34b: S Peter Makuma 55: OL Jared Wilson 58: ED Xavier Holmes 95: DT Eric Gregory The No. 55 jersey also saw some change. Defensive tackle Eric Gregory had worn it last season, but has now moved to 95.
Starting center Jared Wilson, meanwhile, ditched his previous number, 58, to return to the one he wore during his college career at Georgia, 55. The Patriots also signed both Peter Makuma and Xavier Holmes as rookie free agents on Monday. They wore different jersey numbers during their tryouts at rookie minicamp over the weekend — 1 and 51, respectively — but were since given “real” numbers, including Wilson’s former No.