Cardinals announce jersey number changes, assignments for 2021

Budda Baker teased his jersey swap from No. 32 to No. 3 on social media, but he wasn’t the only Arizona Cardinal changing uniform numbers heading into the 2021 season.

Running back Chase Edmonds will convert from 29 to 2, nickel Byron Murphy will drop 33 for 7 and defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence will switch from 92 to 90, the team announced Monday while noting that players can still change their numbers before the regular season begins.

New numbers for 2021.@buddabaker32 ➡️ 3@ChaseEdmonds22 ➡️ 2@byronmurphy ➡️ 7@rashardlawrence ➡️ 90 pic.twitter.com/g8iNBGvMEq

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) May 10, 2021

Edmonds, Baker and Murphy all made number changes because the National Football League opened up their specific position groups to wear single-digit jerseys.

Defensive backs, linebackers, running backs, tight ends and wide receivers are now allowed to wear single digits.

The Cardinals also on Monday announced uniform number assignments for their free agent and rookie additions.

With Baker’s number vacated, rookie cornerback Tay Gowan will now wear No. 32. First-round pick and linebacker Zaven Collins will suit up in No. 25, while second-round pick Rondale Moore will wear No. 85.

Numbers for the 2021 Draft Class.@ZavenCollins ➡️ 25@moore_rondale ➡️ 85@MJW_era ➡️ 20@Vicdimukeje ➡️ 92@focused_4 ➡️ 32@jameswigg32 ➡️ 38@Mike_Menet62 ➡️ 72 pic.twitter.com/1qQBzFNP7s

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) May 10, 2021

Among the free agents, receiver A.J. Green will wear No. 18, as he did in his 10 previous NFL seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Cornerback Malcolm Butler will keep the No. 21 that he wore in the last three years with the Tennessee Titans — it’s the same number departed top cornerback Patrick Peterson wore with Arizona.

Numbers for the new members of the family.@ajgreen_18 ➡️ 18
Rodney Hudson ➡️ 61@Mac_BZ ➡️ 21@JamesConner_ ➡️ 6@MattPrater_5 ➡️ 5@ColtMcCoy ➡️ 12 pic.twitter.com/kfmKOcqrmx

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) May 10, 2021

Veteran running back James Connor will take the No. 6 after he wore the No. 30 jersey with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His assignment means that receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who teased a potential swap to No. 6 from No. 10, will for now stick with his No. 10.