Drew Brees Jersey Number: New Orleans Saints Retired Numbers and Who Wears What
Posted by JerseyZenith on Oct 25th 2026
- The Saints once retired 31 (Jim Taylor) and 81 (Doug Atkins), but both numbers were returned to circulation.
- Drew Brees joined the Ring of Honor on October 11, 2026; Archie Manning joined in 2013.
- Chris Olave wears 12, Alvin Kamara 41 and Cameron Jordan 94 on the October 2026 ESPN roster.
- Our catalog lists Tyler Shough at 8, but ESPN shows 6.
This guide covers the Saints' number honors and the numbers fans buy in 2026. It does not cover the NFL's position rules, which have their own guide.
Saints Ring of Honor numbers
| Number | Honoree | Position and years | Ring of Honor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Archie Manning | Quarterback, 1971–1982 | 2013 |
| 57 | Rickey Jackson | Linebacker, 1981–1993 | 2013 |
| 77 | Willie Roaf | Offensive tackle, 1993–2001 | 2013 |
| 7 | Morten Andersen | Kicker, 1982–1994 | 2015 |
| 91 | Will Smith | Defensive end, 2004–2013 | 2019 |
| 51 | Sam Mills | Linebacker, 1986–1994 | 2021 |
| 73 | Jahri Evans | Guard, 2006–2016 | 2024 |
| 9 | Drew Brees | Quarterback, 2006–2020 | 2026 |
The Ring of Honor is a separate honor from a retired number. Wikipedia lists only 31 (Jim Taylor) and 81 (Doug Atkins) as retired, and other sources say both were returned to circulation under new ownership. The Advocate reported that the 8 and 9 would not be issued to future players, though that is not a formal retirement. We could not confirm that from a team page.
Who wears what in 2026
| Player | Number | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Kool-Aid McKinstry | 1 | Cornerback |
| Spencer Rattler | 2 | Quarterback |
| Tyler Shough | 6 | Quarterback |
| Chris Olave | 12 | Wide receiver |
| Justin Reid | 21 | Safety |
| Alvin Kamara | 41 | Running back |
| Cameron Jordan | 94 | Defensive end |
| Chase Young | 99 | Defensive end |
| Noah Fant | 87 | Tight end |
Travis Etienne Jr. (3) is on the injured list on ESPN's page. Rosters change during the season, so confirm a player is still on the team before you order a name and number.
Famous numbers in Saints history
Number 9 is Drew Brees's: he played for the Saints from 2006 to 2020, and the team inducted him into the Ring of Honor in 2026. He and the team won Super Bowl XLIV. Number 8 is Archie Manning's, the first quarterback inducted. Number 57 is Rickey Jackson's, 77 is Willie Roaf's and 51 is Sam Mills's. A number tells you the era, not the player, so always match it to a name.
Choosing a listed name and number
Our Chris Olave jersey and Tyler Shough jersey provide listed player choices; check the number shown on each product, and the gold alternate comes in a player version too. The NFL assigns number ranges by position, which affects which numbers a player can get. Our NFL jersey number rules guide covers those ranges. For team-wide style choices, start at the New Orleans Saints jerseys page.
Brees’s No. 9: three different honors
Brees wore 9 for New Orleans from 2006 through 2020. His team Ring of Honor page documents the October 11, 2026 induction, while the Pro Football Hall of Fame identifies him as a Class of 2026 enshrinee. Neither honor should be used as a substitute for a number-retirement announcement. Older reports describe 8 and 9 as numbers the team intends to keep unworn; that is a separate practice from a formal ceremony.
Jersey numbers FAQ
What is the Drew Brees jersey number?
No. 9 with New Orleans from 2006 through 2020.
When did Drew Brees enter the Saints Ring of Honor?
October 11, 2026, confirmed by the team’s ceremony and Ring of Honor page.
Is Brees’s 9 formally retired?
The sources checked document Ring of Honor and Canton recognition, rather than a formal number-retirement announcement.
What number does Chris Olave wear?
No. 12 on the cited roster.
What number does Tyler Shough wear?
No. 6 on the cited ESPN roster. Verify the number shown on the product before choosing a jersey.
Sources
- ESPN, New Orleans Saints roster (Oct 25, 2026)
- Wikipedia, New Orleans Saints (Ring of Honor, retired numbers)
- The Advocate, Saints honor greats in a Ring of Honor (search summary)
- Crescent City Sports, best of every uniform number 80–89 (search summary)
- Saints Brees Ring profile (checked Oct. 27, 2026)
- Canton Brees Ring of Excellence (checked Oct. 27, 2026, search summary)