How Kenyon Sadiq's rookie number with Jets creates possible Arch Manning issue in 2027

An athlete choosing their number after joining a new team is a core memory. Sometimes, however, it can create trouble.

This offseason, the New York Jets drafted former Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq with the No. 16 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite sporting a No. 18 in college, Sadiq picked his Jet jersey number to match his draft spot (16).

The story is nice, and potentially even a reminder to fans in the future that it took 16 spots for Sadiq to get drafted, if he were to excel on the field. However, a college QB who has been linked to New York for a couple of seasons now might have a jersey number dilemma if the Jets were to select him. Arch Manning has worn No. 16 under his last name since the sixth grade, and now he and Sadiq would be set up for a standoff if the young Manning were to be taken by New York this upcoming draft.

Here's why the Jets' new tight end might have made things a bit harder for the franchise if they were to land Manning next year.

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Kenyon Sadiq Jets number

On Thursday afternoon, the Jets released the numbers that their rookie class would be donning this upcoming season. One number that stuck out immediately was Sadiq's No. 16.

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Fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik rolled over his No. 10 jersey from his time at Clemson. Sadiq, the former Oregon Duck, wore No. 18 while playing collegiately. The tight end was drafted with the 16th overall pick, so that would most likely explain the number selection.

Typically, tight ends wear numbers that are in the 80-89 range. Prior to 2020, according to the NFL rulebook, tight ends were permitted to wear numbers in the 40 to 49 and 80 to 89 ranges. However, the Kansas City Chiefs proposed a rule change to the NFL Competition Committee for more player flexibility in jersey numbers. This came after practice squad size was expanded for the 2020 season, and some teams did not have enough jersey numbers available at certain positions. The change was approved by NFL owners on April 21, 2021.

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What number is Arch Manning?

New York is not expected to be good this upcoming season, meaning they should be in a prime position to have the chance to draft Manning in the 2027 Draft. However, Manning sports a No. 16 for the Texas Longhorns, meaning either Sadiq would have to change his number. 

Manning explained to the Texas One Podcast in August that he began wearing No. 16 in the sixth grade. Despite his uncle, Peyton, wearing No. 16 during his Tennessee Volunteers days, that's not the reason Arch picked the number.

Manning wears 16 since he loved Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence growing up. Here's what he said about the number process:

"You know, 18 was retired at Newman, so I didn’t want to wear 18. Eli wore 10. My grandfather wore eight in the pros. So, I always liked Trevor Lawrence. He was a big high school recruit, and so in sixth grade, I wore 16 and I’ve worn it since."

MORE: What is the significance of Arch Manning and his No. 16?