There's a new No. 9 in Philadelphia, and he's got the blessing of a Super Bowl legend.

First-round pick Makai Lemon announced Thursday that he'll wear No. 9 for the Eagles, making him the first player to don the jersey since Nick Foles led the franchise to its first Super Bowl title in 2018. The number had essentially been unofficially retired since Foles left the team in 2019.

"Appreciate the Eagles so much, Nick Foles especially, to pass that number down, because I know he could have easily kept that number to himself," Lemon said during rookie minicamp. "Such a great player when he was here wearing that No. 9. Led them to the Super Bowl, so I appreciate him so much."

The rookie wide receiver made it clear he understands the weight of the jersey. "I definitely cherish that and I'll represent the 9 well. I'm just super excited to get that number."

Foles, who played five total seasons across two stints with the Eagles, last took an NFL snap in 2022 with the Indianapolis Colts. He officially retired in 2024, signing a one-day contract with Philadelphia to close out his career where it began.

The Eagles selected Lemon with the 20th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, pulling off a trade to jump ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 21. In one of the more memorable moments of draft night, Lemon was actually on the phone with the Steelers when the Eagles called to let him know they had just snatched him up.

Lemon arrives in Philly with serious credentials. The USC product won the Biletnikoff Award as college football's top receiver and was widely considered one of the best wideouts in this year's draft class. He'll now look to carve out his own legacy while honoring the number that Foles made legendary.

For Eagles fans looking to add a new No. 9 jersey to their collection, this marks the start of an exciting new chapter—one that bridges the franchise's greatest triumph with its promising future.