When Patrick Chung returned to the New England Patriots after a rather unsuccessful one-year stint in Philadelphia, he ditched the number 25 jersey he had worn during his first four seasons with the organization in favor of No. 23. After his return and jersey number change, Chung would become a cornerstone of New England’s second dynastic run and synonymous with that new number.
Earlier this offseason — after playing a combined 106 games and winning three Super Bowls with the number 23 on his jersey — Chung announced his retirement from the NFL. No. 23 will not remain vacant, though, as fellow safety Kyle Dugger will wear it beginning this season.