Makai Lemon becomes first Eagle to wear No. 9 since Nick Foles led Philadelphia to its first Super Bowl title

The Philadelphia Eagles judge they person different dynamic limb that tin assistance them get backmost to the Super Bowl.

Wide receiver Makai Lemon, the Eagles’ first-round pick, chose a jersey fig synonymous with winning successful Philadelphia, and that’s each fans are reasoning astir connected Thursday astatine rookie minicamp.

Lemon is going to beryllium wearing No. 9, becoming the archetypal subordinate since Nick Foles to bash so. Foles needs nary instauration to those who sing "Fly, Eagles, Fly" astatine the apical of their lungs — helium is simply a existent sports people leader who helped the squad triumph its first-ever Vince Lombardi Trophy during the 2017 season.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Nick Foles, the Super Bowl-winning quarterback, gave Philadelphia Eagles first-round prime Makai Lemon his blessing to deterioration No. 9 to statesman his career. (GETTY)

The fig whitethorn not person been retired, but Foles gave Lemon his blessing nonetheless. Lemon appreciated the sentiment.

"I admit the Eagles truthful overmuch and Nick Foles, especially, to walk that fig down due to the fact that I cognize helium could person easy kept that fig to himself," Lemon told reporters connected Thursday astatine rookie minicamp, per NBC Sports Philadelphia.

"Such a large subordinate erstwhile helium was present wearing that No. 9, led them to the Super Bowl. I admit him truthful much. I decidedly cherish that truthful much, and I’ll correspond the No. 9 well, wearing it. I’ll correspond the squad well. I’m conscionable ace excited to get that fig for sure."

CARDINALS' TOP PICK JEREMIYAH LOVE EXPLAINS WHY HE PLANS TO NEVER TOUCH HIS $53M NFL SALARY

The Eagles haven’t fixed retired No. 9 astatine each since Foles near aft the 2018 campaign. But Foles and Lemon spoke connected the phone, and the erstwhile told the second it was his if helium wanted it.

"He wanted to walk that fig over, wanted to talk to maine earlier anybody other told me," Lemon added. "I admit him, and hopefully I tin conscionable him soon erstwhile he’s astir the building."

The Eagles were primitively picking No. 23 successful this year’s NFL Draft, but erstwhile they saw Lemon falling down the draught board, they called up to No. 20 via trade, and GM Howie Roseman was speedy to archer Lemon of the bully news.

Makai Lemon of Southern California poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell aft being selected 20th wide by the Philadelphia Eagles during the archetypal circular of the 2026 NFL Draft astatine Acrisure Stadium successful Pittsburgh, Pa., connected April 23, 2026. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)

In fact, a draft-night fiasco occurred erstwhile the Pittsburgh Steelers, owners of the No. 21 prime and big of the draught this twelvemonth extracurricular their Acrisure Stadium, were already connected the telephone with Lemon to pass him they would beryllium taking him with their pick. The Steelers, though, didn’t cognize the Eagles had traded successful beforehand of them to onshore the talented USC Trojans star, who won the Biletnikoff Award successful 2025 arsenic the champion receiver successful assemblage football.

Lemon wore No. 6 portion helium was astatine USC, but different Eagles first-round prime who they traded up for, DeVonta Smith, already rocks that fig successful greenish and black. Smith wasn’t keen connected switch, truthful Lemon was looking for the lowest imaginable fig aft that.

No. 9 was available, but determination was ineffable Eagles past down it. Still, Lemon said it was the team’s proposition for him to perchance take No. 9.

With commercialized rumors inactive swirling astir Eagles Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown, it’s chartless precisely what relation Lemon volition play successful a caller discourtesy for the nine this season. Kevin Patullo was fired this offseason, starring the mode for Sean Mannion accepting the violative coordinator role.

Makai Lemon of the USC Trojans speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine astatine the Indiana Convention Center successful Indianapolis, Indiana, connected Feb. 27, 2026. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

But Lemon has proven to beryllium an all-around receiver, whether it’s hauling successful contested heavy shots oregon creating separation successful the abbreviated and intermediate routes to acceptable up imaginable large gains.

Lemon’s inferior play with the Trojans successful 2025 led to an All-American nod, with 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns connected 79 receptions crossed 12 games.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.