Jalen Reagor reveals new Vikings jersey number, meaning

New Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Reagor detailed the reason behind the new number he will wear for the team.

With their initial 53-player roster submitted by the Aug. 30 deadline, the Minnesota Vikings decided to make an additional move, specifically to bring in reinforcements in their passing offense. The Vikings acquired wide receiver Jalen Reagor from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2023 seventh-round draft pick and a 2024 conditional fourth-round pick. This is a chance for Reagor to revitalize his career after not being able to catch on with the Eagles.

Obviously, Reagor could not wear the No. 18 with the Vikings, like he did for the Eagles. No. 18 belongs to star wide receiver Justin Jefferson. So, it was revealed that Reagor would wear No. 5.

Reagor took to Twitter to explain the reasoning behind picking the No. 5, saying it “symbolizes spiritual growth, self-confidence, freedom, curiosity, and change.”

Jalen Reagor explains why he chose to wear No. 5 for Vikings

As he says in his tweet, this is change for Reagor. Back when he played for the TCU Horned Frogs and increased his stock as a first-round draft pick in 2020, he wore the No. 1.

Reagor and the Vikings were always connected, even before the trade. The Eagles picked just before the Vikings in the 2020 NFL Draft, and they opted to go with Reagor over Jefferson. The two wide receivers were compared ever since, and Jefferson propelled himself into superstardom after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Reagor was not able to match his numbers with Philadelphia.

As a rookie, Reagor caught 31-of-54 targets for 396 yards and one touchdown in 11 games. Last season, Reagor recorded 33 receptions for 299 yards and two touchdowns on 57 targets.

Now joining an offense run by head coach Kevin O’Connell, the former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator in 2020 and 2021, Adam Thielen, and Jefferson, Reagor will look to have a bounce-back year. Be sure to look out for No. 5 in the Vikings uniform throughout the season.