Jovanny Hernandez / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Green Bay Packers: Jayden Reed Reveals Reason Micah Parsons Could Not Have #11

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Sep 1, 2025 4:12 PM ET

When the Green Bay Packers added four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Micah Parsons in a blockbuster franchise-altering trade with the Dallas Cowboys, it set about a great debate among fans (and some reporters) about what the jersey number fallout would be. After all, Parsons wore number 11 both in college at Penn State and in Dallas. Because he is such a great player, many thought that he should get that number again in Green Bay.

But number 11, of course, is currently worn by third-year wide receiver Jayden Reed (who wore jersey number one at Michigan State). Somewhat ironically, Parsons is now going to wear number one for Green Bay, becoming the first player to wear it during the regular season since Curly Lambeau, who founded the Packers, wore it in 1926.

Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Jayden Reed Reveals Why He Didn’t Give #11 to Micah Parsons

Green Bay Packers: Jayden Reed Reveals Reason Micah Parsons Could Not Have #11 1 Jul 26, 2025; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons (11) at training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Parsons’ choosing to wear number one was met with great excitement from Packers fans, who have long wondered by the organization would not give out the number even though it is not officially retired. What is more, the news of Parsons taking number one was joined by the report that rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden will be the first player in franchise history to wear number zero.

Golden previously had been assigned number 81 after he was drafted, but then changed to number 22.

Many wondered, though, if Parsons had asked Reed if he could have number 11, given how long he has worn it in the past. And on Monday, Reed revealed that the new linebacker did, indeed ask, but he had to say “no.”

Jayden Reed told @BillHuberNFL that Parsons asked for No. 11. But if Reed gave up 11, he’d have to pay for all the made-but-unsold No. 11 Reed jerseys.

“He could’ve had the number,” Reed said. “The price was just too high for the jersey sales.”

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) September 1, 2025

As one can see, Reed would not have had any problem with just giving the number to Parsons. However, if an NFL player switches numbers like that, he would have had to buy all the jerseys with his old number on it.

That price as just too much for Reed to pay.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: