Tom Brady Jersey Number and Every Patriots Retired Number
Posted by JerseyZenith on Oct 25th 2026
- Tom Brady's No. 12 was the most recent number retired, in 2024.
- No. 87 is not retired. Wide receiver Romeo Doubs wears it on the October 2026 roster.
- Andre Tippett's No. 56 is out of circulation but is not on the official list.
- Drake Maye wears No. 10; A.J. Brown wears No. 1.
This guide covers the Patriots' retired numbers and the numbers fans buy in 2026. It does not cover the NFL's position rules, which have their own guide.
Patriots retired numbers
| Number | Player | Position and years | Retired |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Tom Brady | Quarterback, 2000–2019 | 2024 |
| 20 | Gino Cappelletti | Flanker/kicker, 1960–1970 | 1971 |
| 40 | Mike Haynes | Cornerback, 1976–1982 | 1996 |
| 57 | Steve Nelson | Linebacker, 1974–1987 | 1988 |
| 73 | John Hannah | Guard, 1973–1985 | 1990 |
| 78 | Bruce Armstrong | Tackle, 1987–2000 | 2001 |
| 79 | Jim Lee Hunt | Defensive tackle, 1960–1970 | 1971 |
| 89 | Bob Dee | Defensive end, 1960–1967 | 1968 |
How the Patriots decide to retire a number
The Patriots retire numbers rarely: eight in more than 60 years. The first was Bob Dee's 89 in 1968, and two members of the original 1960 team, Gino Cappelletti and Jim Lee Hunt, had theirs retired together in 1971. The 1980s and 1990s added Nelson, Hannah and Haynes, and Bruce Armstrong's 78 followed in 2001. After that there was a gap of more than two decades until Brady's 12 in 2024.
Tom Brady's No. 12
Brady played for New England from 2000 to 2019. The Patriots retired his No. 12 in 2024 when he entered the team's Hall of Fame, on June 12, 2024. No Patriot can wear it now. A Tom Brady jersey is a legend jersey, so look at the Tom Brady jersey hub for the styles.
Is Rob Gronkowski's 87 retired?
No. CBS Sports reported the Patriots briefly re-issued 87 to a receiver, and the October 2026 ESPN roster lists Romeo Doubs in 87. Gronkowski wore the number as New England's tight end through the 2010s. The Rob Gronkowski jersey is the legend pick for No. 87.
What about No. 56?
Linebacker Andre Tippett's No. 56 is not on the official list. CBS Sports says it has been unofficially retired for a long time. Some sites list it as retired, so treat it as out of circulation and not as officially retired.
Current Patriots numbers fans buy
| Player | Number | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Drake Maye | 10 | Quarterback |
| A.J. Brown | 1 | Wide receiver |
| DeMario Douglas | 3 | Wide receiver |
| TreVeyon Henderson | 32 | Running back |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | 38 | Running back |
| Christian Gonzalez | 0 | Cornerback |
| Will Campbell | 66 | Offensive tackle |
Drake Maye wears 10. The Drake Maye jersey is the one most fans pick for the quarterback. Rosters change during the season, so confirm a player is still on the team before you order a name and number.
Who wears what: a few more current numbers
| Player | Number | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Hunter Henry | 85 | Tight end |
| Kevin Byard | 31 | Safety |
| Christian Barmore | 90 | Defensive tackle |
| Milton Williams | 97 | Defensive tackle |
| Robert Spillane | 14 | Linebacker |
| Marcus Jones | 25 | Cornerback |
Rookie tackle Caleb Lomu wears 74. Players change numbers between seasons, and some numbers on injured reserve are not in use on game day, so check the roster before you order.
The Patriots' six championships
Brady's jersey is tied to New England's six Super Bowl titles, which came after the 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016 and 2018 seasons. The 2025 team returned to the Super Bowl and lost 29–13 to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. Drake Maye, who wears 10, was the quarterback in that game.
Numbers by era
A number tells you the era, not the player. Brady wore 12 and Gronkowski wore 87, so a jersey with one of those numbers reads as a specific moment in Patriots history. See the Patriots jerseys page to pick a style, and the NFL jersey number rules for how the league assigns numbers by position.
Sizes
Check the size chart, then confirm the name and number match what you want printed or sewn.
Tom Brady jersey number
The Tom Brady jersey number is 12. The Patriots retired it in 2024, so no current player wears it.
Nike makes every New England Patriots jersey we sell, in home, away, alternate, Rivalries and throwback styles where the team has them, so a player's number is the same on each style. Compare Game and Limited in our tier guide and shop all Patriots jerseys.
Patriots numbers FAQ
Which numbers have the Patriots retired?
12, 20, 40, 57, 73, 78, 79 and 89.
Is Tom Brady's number retired?
Yes. The Patriots retired No. 12 in 2024.
Is Gronkowski's 87 retired?
No. Romeo Doubs wears 87ESPN lists Romeo Doubs in 87 on injured reserve in October 2026, so the number is in use.
Can I buy a jersey with a retired number?
Yes. A retired number means no current player can wear it. Legend jerseys, like Tom Brady's 12, are made for fans and not for players on the field.
Is Andre Tippett's 56 retired?
Not officially. CBS Sports says it has been out of circulation for years, but it is not on the team's list of eight retired numbers.
Which is the oldest retired Patriots number?
Bob Dee's No. 89, retired in 1968.
What number does Drake Maye wear?
No. 10.
What is the Drake Maye jersey number?
Drake Maye wears No. 10.
What is the TreVeyon Henderson jersey number?
TreVeyon Henderson wears No. 32.
What is the Rhamondre Stevenson jersey number?
Rhamondre Stevenson wears No. 38.