Kyle Van Noy Officially Has His #53 Back From Josh Oche

When Kyle Van Noy re-joined the New England Patriots after a year-long sabbatical in Miami, I posed the question "So How Soon Until Josh Uche Gives Kyle Van Noy His #53 Back?" via a blog title. Well, to answer my own question, via blog entry, it appears that today, April 26th, 2021, is said day.

Kyle Van Noy will officially wear #53 this season, and Josh Uche will wear #55, last worn by analytically one of the worst defenders in the NFL, John Simon.

Via his Instagram, LB Josh Uche (@_Uche35) posts a picture of his new uniform number (55), as he has given 53 to its prior owner Kyle Van Noy (@KVN_03).

Trade terms of the Patriots’ first deal of draft week: Unknown. pic.twitter.com/Wm7l3ErrRD

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 26, 2021

With the NFL loosening its position-based jersey number rules, KVN got in front of any rumors that he might rock a single-digit this year in his return to Foxboro. Talk about a hashtag good guy move looking out for those who already have a #53 KVN Patriots jersey! 

So for those that keep asking.... it would be dope to wear 3 like college cuz the number 3 means a lot to me... but I’m rocking that 5 3 baby! Too many folks already paid for my jersey so we keepin it... □□ #Five3 #patsnation

— Kyle Van Noy (@KVN_03) April 22, 2021

Recycling a jersey after a player leaves is an excellent way to stick it to the man (s/o Celtics fans with Dee Brown or Antoine Walker jerseys). Especially when the numbers on the Pats color rush uniforms from Kyle's first stint in New England are far superior to their 2020-present Wal-Mart counterparts. Even though I'm a Cam guy, I hate that I bought his jersey because #1 looks so bad in this slightly tweaked font.

2019.

2020.

Look at the 1 on Cam's jersey compared to the 1 in 31 on Jonathon Jone's jersey in the first photo. It just doesn't do it for me. I need that base on the bottom.

With KVN reclaiming 53, Josh Uche pondered going back to 6, the same number he wore at Michigan.

6 ? â–¡

— Josh Uche □ (@_Uche35) April 24, 2021

Before ultimately claiming 55 as his own.

â–¡â–¡â–¡â–¡

— Josh Uche □ (@_Uche35) April 26, 2021

#6 is currently worn by two-time 2020 AFC Special Teamer of the week, Nick Folk. For a second I forgot and thought maybe Belichick was keeping it open to retire for Ryan Allen. #6 is currently the one of two  single digit number that hasn't been retired by at least one NFL team (#2 is the other) and it would be such a Belichick troll move for that to be the first double-dynasty era retired number. 

P.S.

I totally forgot the Vikings signed Patrick Peterson. He is officially the first player to change his uniform number under the new rule.

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Double P.S.

Not that anybody is actually keeping track (or cares), but I am a tad self-conscious about the amount of time it'll take me to finish a blog, and I just want to let you know that I finished this blog much quicker than the time between this post and the Song of the Day would suggest. I was catching up with a buddy on Zoom! Check-in on your people!!