The Panthers have made significant changes to their roster over the offseason, and with the start of a virtual offseason program this week, new players officially have jersey numbers.
There are 17 Panthers with new numbers and seven others who have changed their number for 2020.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will wear No. 5 — the same number he's worn since high school. Coincidentally, Bridgewater also went 5-0 as a starter last year. Punter Michael Palardy most recently wore No. 5 from 2016-2019, but will switch to No. 2 for 2020.
Bridgewater will be the 10th player to wear No. 5 in franchise history, joining a list that includes current Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, who dressed for six games in his final season in 2001 but did not see game action.
Also at quarterback, new signee PJ Walker will don No. 6, while Will Grier has changed his number from No. 3 to No. 7 — which he wore in college but was taken by Kyle Allen last season.
Of the new wide receivers, no player has a number in the 80s. Robby Anderson takes No. 11, which he wore with the Jets. Ishmael Hyman (No. 13), Pharoh Cooper (No. 14), Seth Roberts (No. 15), and Keith Kirkwood (No. 19) make up the rest of the new wideouts. Two wide receivers changed their numbers — Brandon Zylstra is now No. 16 and Damion Jeanpiere is now No. 83.
Also on the offense, new tackle Russell Okung will sport No. 76, tight end Seth DeValve will wear No. 87, running back Marcus Murphy has No. 34, offensive lineman John Miller has No. 67, and offensive linemen Tyler Marz has changed to No. 68.
Defensively, linebacker Tahir Whitehead will wear No. 52 after he wore No. 59 in Oakland and Detroit. Safety Juston Burris has No. 31, defensive end Stephen Weatherly No. 91, linebacker Chris Smith No. 50, and defensive tackle Zach Kerr No. 92.
Linebacker Christian Miller has switched from No. 50 to No. 55, while safety T.J. Green goes from No. 36 to No. 24.
