Tom Brady‘s No. 12 likely will never be worn by another Patriots player. A new Patriots receiver is wearing Rob Gronkowski‘s No. 87.
The Patriots finally have revealed the numbers for the team’s incoming class of rookies. The headline is that (shockingly) quarterback Mac Jones won’t be wearing No. 50. He’ll be wearing No. 10.
The greater significance is that the Patriots have re-issued tight end Rob Gronkowski’s No. 87 to rookie receiver Tre Nixon.
It’s not the first time the number has been re-issued. Receiver Devin Ross wore it during mandatory minicamp, when he participated on a tryout basis.