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Three Jets players make notable offseason change but it might not matter in the long run

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Mike Antoniou | Last updated May 21, 2025 1:34 PM ET

Three New York Jets have decided to change their numbers for the upcoming season, but it may not be the number on their backs they should worry about, but the number 53.

Will McDonald, Malachi Corley and Xavier Gipson have all decided to change their number for the upcoming season. McDonald went back to number nine, the number he wore in college at Iowa State. Nine recently became available after the Jets cut Greg Zuerlein who wore it last season.

Personally, I am not a fan of a premier pass rusher wearing a single digit number. There is something more historic and intimidating about a player wearing a 90’s number lining up to come take down the quarterback. The number 9 to me is reserved for kickers, punters, and quarterbacks. Maybe that’s a little too “get off my lawn” but it’s how I feel.

Xavier Gipson has given up the number 82, the jersey he wore for his first two seasons in the league in favor of going single digits as well, switching to the number three. Three was last worn by Jordan Whitehead in 2023. Gipson wore number two in college at Stephen F. Austin, but that is currently occupied by Tyrod Taylor.

Malachi Corley is taking off the number 14 he wore his rookie season and like Will McDonald, taking advantage of a cut specialist. Corley will wear number six, which was worn by Thomas Morstead the last few seasons, before he was unceremoniously let go by Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn in their ever-present venture to get younger. Corley wore number 11 at Western Kentucky, but that belongs to Jermaine Johnson.

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For Gipson and Corley, the issue might not be the number they wear, but their place on the 53-man roster. New GM Darren Mougey and new head coach Aaron Glenn have no ties to either player, and have shown that they have no qualms about taking a machete to the previous regime’s roster. I don't think Will McDonald is going anywhere anytime soon.

Corley was supposed to be the steal of the draft last year when the Jets took him in the third round, but he managed just three receptions all year in nine games and committed one of the biggest blunders of the season.

Gipson was one of the darlings of Hard Knocks back in 2023 when the Jets were featured, making the team as an UDFA and becoming the starting returner and slot receiver. He famously returned a punt in overtime of the Jets week one prime time win over the Buffalo Bills in the game the Jets lost Aaron Rodgers for the season. But he caught just six passes in 2024 and never really took the next step as a receiver.

With the new regime drafting Arian Smith in the fourth round of the 2025 draft (who also coincidently, has Xavier Gipson’s number 82), there is a lot of mediocre talent in the Jets’ wide receiver room after Garrett Wilson. I wouldn’t be surprised if either Gipson, or Corley, or both were sent packing if they don’t impress in training camp.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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