On Monday, it was announced that Green Bay Packers defensive back Javon Bullard would switch from No. 20 to No. 7 for the 2026 season.
New look jersey number for Packers Safety Javon Bullard ๐ @cravejaaye pic.twitter.com/YCZuTDMrfV
โ Packers Base (@Packers_Base) April 6, 2026
Bullard will be taking the number that his former Georgia Bulldog teammate Quay Walker wore for the last four seasons. Walker, who also wore No. 7 at Georgia, signed with the Las Vegas Raiders last month.
In 2021, the NFL relaxed its uniform number restrictions allowing for players to wear almost any number, regardless of position. The only position group that still has strict guidelines are offensive linemen, who are generally wearing a number thatโs an ineligible receiver.
According to former Packers beat writer Tyler Dunne, on a recent GoLong feature, Bullard idolized now-retired defensive back Tyrann Mathieu, who popularized No. 7 while he was at LSU.
Javon Bullard grew up idolizing @Mathieu_Era. Now, it appears heโs taking on that iconic 7. https://t.co/kLZtnVXQpv https://t.co/4PiT2CyDSn pic.twitter.com/ctjC3IaUSG
โ Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) April 6, 2026
Since 2022, several Packers are wearing uniform numbers that would not have been able to wear previously: wide receivers Christian Watson No. 9 and Matthew Golden No. 0, running back Josh Jacobs No. 8, defensive end Micah Parsons No. 1 and now Bullard No. 7.
The number 7 Bullard will don in 2026 has become a popular number for defensive backs. Some of the leagueโs best defensive backs have worn the number in the last several seasons. These players include: Patrick Peterson with the Vikings and Steelers, Taron Johnson with the Bills, Treโvon Moehring with the Raiders and Panthers, Byron Murphy with the Cardinals and Vikings, and Charvarius Ward with the 49ers and Colts.
One more player to keep an eye on with his uniform number is wide receiver Matthew Golden. After wearing No. 22 in the preseason, he changed to No. 0 for the regular season last season. Golden wore No. 2 at Texas and it is now available after the departure of quarterback Malik Willis.
#Packers WR Matthew Golden recently hinted he may consider switching to #2 ๐
Golden wore No. 2 at Texas to honor his late Grandmother whoโs favorite number was 2. When Golden was drafted by the Packers he opted to wear #22 since 2 was taken by Malik Willis
Should he switch? pic.twitter.com/rzUArqXeYg
โ Green.Bay.Packers (@GBPTrevor) April 2, 2026
Golden wanted a single digit number and his request was granted as the first player in franchise history to wear No. 0 last season.
Packers rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden explained his number switch to 0. https://t.co/PYxqXxnF1n pic.twitter.com/Ait1ZP3QpW
โ The Packers Wire (@ThePackersWire) September 4, 2025
After an up and down rookie season in No. 0, maybe a number change would unlock Golden and have him resemble the player who was a difference maker at Texas in the final half of the 2024 season.