Back in Blue and 13: Odell Beckham Jr. officially switches jersey numbers ahead of season opener
The veteran wide receiver is returning to the number that became synonymous with his explosive rise in New York
O dell Beckham Jr.’ s comeback with the New York Giants now has an even more familiar look.
Just days after securing a place on the Giants ’ initial 53-man roster, Beckham is officially reclaiming the No. 13 jersey, the number he wore throughout the first five seasons of his NFL career and during the period when he established himself as one of the league’s biggest stars.
The Giants announced the change Tuesday, completing a return that has already carried plenty of nostalgia for the 33-year-old receiver.
The timing is particularly fitting. Beckham had been wearing No. 3 throughout training camp and the preseason after returning to the Giants, while No. 13 belonged to Jalin Hyatt.
Even after Beckham was informed that he had made the roster, he was still wearing No. 3 at Monday’s practice. However, Beckham had already hinted that a switch could be coming.
Asked Monday about the possibility of getting his old number back, Beckham said: “I think we all know what that means to me, and there definitely will be some conversations. I'll just say we'll see what happens, but like I said, it would be an honor and a privilege to put that back on.”
Those conversations have now produced the outcome Giants fans were hoping for.
Hyatt, who was released as part of the Giants ’ roster cuts before subsequently returning to the practice squad, has moved from No. 13 to No. 81. That opened the door for Beckham to officially step back into the jersey that became one of the most recognizable in Giants history.
No. 13 carries a huge part of Beckham's Giants legacy
Beckham’s connection with the number goes far beyond simply wearing it early in his career.
The Giants selected him No. 12 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft, and although he missed the opening portion of his rookie season, he quickly became one of the league’s most spectacular offensive weapons.
His one-handed catch against the Dallas Cowboys that season became an enduring NFL highlight, while his production earned him three Pro Bowl selections during his original spell in New York.
Across 59 games from 2014 through 2018, Beckham caught 390 passes for 5,476 yards and 44 touchdowns. Those numbers still rank him second in franchise history in receiving yards and fourth in both receptions and receiving touchdowns.
After leaving New York, Beckham continued wearing No. 13 with the Cleveland Browns. But when he joined the Los Angeles Rams during the 2021 season, he changed to No. 3, the number he subsequently kept with the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins .
The No. 3 jersey also became associated with a major achievement in Beckham’s career. With the Rams, he helped the team win Super Bowl LVI, catching 21 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns during Los Angeles’ postseason run before a knee injury ended his night in the championship game.
Now, however, it is No. 13 that will be on Beckham’s back when he takes the field for the Giants again.
That comeback is significant in its own right. Beckham spent the entire 2025 season out of the NFL before returning to New York this offseason.
He then had to compete for a roster spot under new head coach John Harbaugh, ultimately earning his place after a productive preseason. Beckham caught seven passes for 76 yards on 13 targets across three preseason appearances.
The Giants will begin the regular season at home against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 13, meaning Beckham’s first official game back in New York will come against a familiar NFC East opponent.
Whether he can reproduce the numbers or explosive plays that defined his first Giants tenure remains to be seen.
His role is also likely to be managed carefully as the coaching staff works him into an offense featuring Malik Nabers, Darnell Mooney, Darius Slayton and rookie Malachi Fields.
But visually, at least, the circle is now complete.
Beckham is back with the Giants, back in blue and, finally, back in No. 13. For supporters who still have his original jersey tucked away, there is now a very good reason to bring it out again.
