Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has long been known for his composed leadership and playmaking ability. But during a recent Q&A session shared by the Eagles’ official account, he opened up about something more personal: the story behind his jersey number.
While it may seem like a small detail, the reason Hurts wears No. 1 is tied to a fellow NFL star currently playing for the Eagles’ division rivals.
Why Did Jalen Hurts Switch to No. 1 and How Did CeeDee Lamb Play a Role?
Hurts explained that he originally wore No. 2 growing up because of his older brother. “I grew up wearing number two because of my brother,” Hurts said. That number stayed with him through his high school years and into college, where he began his career at the University of Alabama under head coach Nick Saban.
Faith. Family. Championships. QB1 is back to answer more of your questions.@JalenHurts | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/PExMB0rLZW
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) July 16, 2025
Saban allowed him to continue wearing No. 2, further cementing it as part of Hurts’ football identity. But everything changed when he transferred to the University of Oklahoma for his final collegiate season in 2019. That year, standout wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was already wearing No. 2 for the Sooners.
“And when I got to ‘Bama, Coach Saban let me get number two, so it just stayed throughout. Then I transferred to Oklahoma, CeeDee Lamb wore number two,” Hurts said.
Rather than challenge Lamb for the number, Hurts made a selfless decision: “I told him it wasn’t even a discussion if I was going to try and get it, like that’s you. So I wore number one and I liked it and it stuck.”
That single season the two shared at Oklahoma was significant. As reported by John Fields of PFSN, the 2019 campaign saw Hurts throw for 3,851 yards and 32 touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,298 yards and 20 more scores.
Lamb was his top target, hauling in 62 receptions for 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns. The chemistry between them was clear, both on and off the field.
When Hurts entered the NFL with the Eagles in 2020, he initially returned to No. 2. But the moment No. 1 became available, he made the switch again. “When I came to the Eagles, obviously, I went back to two, I think, because Cam [Johnston] had number one at the time, as soon as it opened up, I had to get it back. So I love how it looks. It’s a little different energy.”
While Hurts and Lamb now face off on opposing sidelines, Hurts with the Eagles and Lamb with the Cowboys, the connection from their days at Oklahoma quietly lives on. Unexpectedly, it was Lamb’s ownership of No. 2 that nudged Hurts toward finding his new football identity with No. 1.
