If you’re watching a Kansas City Chiefs game in early 2026 and wondering what number is JuJu Smith-Schuster, you aren't alone. NFL jersey numbers used to be static. You’d pick a number as a rookie and keep it until the wheels fell off. But for JuJu, the digits on his back have told the story of his career progression, from his breakout years in Pittsburgh to a Super Bowl ring in KC and a brief stint in New England.
Right now, JuJu Smith-Schuster is wearing number 9 for the Kansas City Chiefs.
He’s back in the single digits, rocking the same number he wore during his college days at USC. It’s a look that fans have grown accustomed to ever since the NFL loosened the rules on who can wear what, allowing wide receivers to ditch the traditional 10-19 or 80-89 range. But getting to that number 9 wasn't a straight line. It involved a few team changes and even a brief detour into a different single digit entirely.
From the Steel City 19 to the Chiefs 9
When JuJu first entered the league with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017, the NFL was much more restrictive. Wide receivers basically had to stay in the teens or the eighties. He settled on 19. For five seasons, that number was synonymous with TikTok dances on logo midfields and huge plays alongside Ben Roethlisberger. He racked up over 1,400 yards in 2018 wearing those digits. Honestly, most fans thought he’d be 19 forever.
📖 Related: Jake Paul Mike Tyson Tattoo: What Most People Get Wrong
Everything changed in 2022.
He signed with Kansas City for his first stint. By then, the NFL had passed the new "relaxed" jersey number rule. JuJu jumped at the chance to return to his USC roots. He grabbed number 9. It worked out pretty well for him, too. He ended that season as a Super Bowl champion, hauling in 78 catches for 933 yards. The number 9 became a symbol of his reinvention as a reliable veteran in Patrick Mahomes’ offense.
The Weird Year in New England
If you’re looking at old highlights and see him wearing number 7, you’ve found the New England Patriots era. When he signed with the Pats in 2023, he actually wanted to keep 9. There was just one problem. A guy named Matthew Judon—the Pro Bowl pass rusher—already owned it.
👉 See also: What Place Is The Phillies In: The Real Story Behind the NL East Standings
In the NFL, seniority usually wins. JuJu didn't want to buy the number off Judon, and 19 was technically available (held by a backup QB at the time), but he decided to go in a completely different direction. He chose 7. Why 7? He mentioned at the time that it was his mom’s favorite number and she has seven kids. It was basically a tribute to his family and a fresh start in Foxboro.
That stint didn't last long, though. After being released by the Patriots, he headed back to a familiar place.
Back to Basics in Kansas City
When JuJu re-signed with the Chiefs in late 2024, the number 9 was waiting for him. It’s the number he’s wearing as we move through the 2025-2026 season. Even though the Chiefs' roster has seen plenty of turnover with guys like Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown coming into the mix, JuJu has stuck with that single 9.
✨ Don't miss: Huskers vs Michigan State: What Most People Get Wrong About This Big Ten Rivalry
He played all 17 games in the 2025 season. He wasn't the 1,400-yard guy he was in Pittsburgh, but he provided that veteran presence the Chiefs love. Seeing him in number 9 just feels "right" to a lot of people who followed his career at USC, where he was an absolute monster in the Pac-12.
Quick Reference: JuJu’s Jersey History
- USC Trojans (College): Number 9
- Pittsburgh Steelers (2017–2021): Number 19
- Kansas City Chiefs (2022): Number 9
- New England Patriots (2023): Number 7
- Kansas City Chiefs (2024–Present): Number 9
It’s kind of wild to think about how much money is involved in these changes. When a high-profile player switches numbers, they often have to buy out the existing inventory of their old jerseys from the league’s distributors. That can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. By staying with 9 in his second KC stint, he likely saved himself a decent chunk of change.
What should you do if you want a jersey?
If you’re looking to buy a JuJu Smith-Schuster jersey today, make sure you're getting the Kansas City number 9. The 19 jerseys are "throwbacks" now, and the number 7 Patriots jerseys are basically relics of a brief experiment. If you're a collector, those Patriots ones might actually be the rarest since he only wore it for one season.
For the most up-to-date roster info, always check the official Chiefs depth chart before heading to the stadium. Players can sometimes make last-minute swaps during the preseason "roster cut" period, but JuJu’s attachment to 9 seems solid. He’s found his identity in that single digit, and it’s likely what he’ll be wearing until he decides to hang up the cleats.