It looks like Jerick McKinnon's days as a Chief might be over. He'll be 32 years old on Friday and hasn't been re-signed to Kansas City as the team tries to three-peat.
His chances to return took an even bigger hit this week, as rookie first-round WR Xaiver Worthy was given jersey #1. That's McKinnon's number of course, and it doesn't feel likely that Kansas City would give that number away if the organization thought Jet was coming back.
It's certainly possible that one of the two players could change numbers, though it's not a good sign regardless.
Rookie WR Xavier Worthy Gets Jerick McKinnon's #1 Jersey
Kansas City Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy (@XavierWorthy) is wearing number 1. Last assigned to Jerick McKinnon. #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/QMVfGhfsz5
— NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl_jersey_num) April 28, 2024
McKinnon isn't the only veteran player who lost his number to a rookie, yet his return feels less likely than Hardman's given his age and Rashee Rice's potential suspension.
Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire are locked into the roster, while the Chiefs signed a potential McKinnon replacement as an undrafted free agent, not to mention UCLA RB Carson Steele as well.
Given how highly the Chiefs think of Worthy, I'd be surprised if they asked him to change jersey numbers after giving him the #1 he wore at the end of his Texas tenure. It's possible, but I'd call it unlikely.
If we have seen the last of McKinnon in a Chiefs uniform, he'll be fondly remembered. He's scored 16 TDs with Kansas City and is a reliable weapon in the passing game, notably finishing with nine receiving TDs in 2022.
We'll see what happens moving forward, but Chiefs fans may need to get used to a new #1.
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