Puka Nacua wanted to change his jersey number last year but it would've been insanely expensive
Puka Nacua wanted to change his jersey number last year but it would've been insanely expensive Nacua didn't want to pay $500K to change numbers last year, so he waited until 2025
Puka Nacua changed his jersey number this offseason, switching from No. 17 to 12. Many believed it was because of Davante Adams' arrival, considering he's always worn No. 17 with the Packers, Raiders and Jets, but that had nothing to do with Nacua's decision.
Nacua had already been planning to change his number to 12 before Adams even signed. In fact, the paperwork for the switch was filed way back in 2024.
Because he already informed the league of his plans to change, Adams didn't have to pay a dime to get Nacua's old number. He talked about the move on 'Games With Names' and Julian Edelman couldn't believe Nacua didn't get anything from Adams for his number.
'I wish. He got it for the freeski,' Nacua told Edelman when he asked what he got from Adams.
The only reason Nacua didn't switch to No. 12 last year is the cost. If he changed his number for the 2024 season, he would've had to buy out all the jerseys, which would've run him $500,000.
As a former fifth-round pick, that would've been more than half his $915,000 salary in 2024.
'I was already planning to switch to 12, so you've got to file the paperwork, they've got to buy out your jerseys and stuff like that,' he explained. 'I was still a fifth-round pick and they were like, 'Uh, it would be $500,000 to switch your jersey.' And I'm like, 'I think you forgot when I got drafted. I don't have that type of money, bro. For a jersey number? No.' So you fill out the paperwork, had to wait a whole year so this year, I was getting ready – the springtime, once that official season switches over, I was going to be going to No. 12. And it was like, we signed Davante Adams and everybody is like, 'What are you about to do?' and I'm like, 'Man, if I would've waited like three more weeks!'
'Could've took the guys out. Now Davante's gotta do it. I'm gonna make sure I hold (him to that).'
The number 12 means a lot to Nacua, having worn it in high school and college. It's also a number that's been worn by his siblings, so this change is a meaningful one.
As good as he looked in No. 17, it won't take fans long to get used to seeing him in 12.
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