Green Bay Press-Gazette reporter Richard Ryman responds to fans’ questions about the Green Bay Packers. This is a regular feature published as long as there are questions to answer.
You can send questions to rryman@usatodayco.com.
Scott: The Packers Pro Shop isn’t selling rookie jerseys, none of the draft class. They said it was because Matthew Golden changed numbers last year. Is that why?
Richard Ryman: Sort of. Maybe. But it doesn’t all fall on Golden’s shoulder pads.
Jerseys for new players, whether rookies, free agents or traded players, are not made available until the NFL signs off on uniform numbers. Rookie numbers in particular can be subject to change by the time the regular season begins, if, for example, someone who has a number a rookie would rather have fails to make the team.
Golden, as some Packers fans might recall, changed his number from 22 to 0 at the end of training camp in 2025. In that case, it wasn’t because someone else had 0. In fact, no Packers player ever wore No. 0. And it was Golden’s third number since joining the Packers. He originally was given No. 81. He said he’d always wanted a single-digit number.
If Golden lives up to expectations, those No. 22 jerseys someday will be unique keepsakes.
Sometimes, there are other reasons for players needing new jerseys, i.e., Zach Tom’s decision this year to change his name to Zach Bako-Bewele to honor his grandparents and his Nigerian heritage.
Once the NFL confirms the numbers, jerseys will be ordered and show up in pro shops and online.
It hasn’t always been that way. Only three years ago, rookie jerseys were in the pro shop only 10 days after the NFL draft. But it’s expensive to make jerseys that, for one reason or another, you’ll have to throw out and replace.
Fans also can have a jersey custom-made in the Packers Pro Shop if they don’t want to wait or want a player who’s not likely to get his own range of merchandise. More don’t than do.
Now, if you are curious, as I was, and look at some other NFL team pro shop pages, you will see jerseys with their 2026 picks’ names and numbers available for purchase. Best guess is that’s because not all teams are as flexible as the Packers when it comes to reassigning numbers, so they can go to the NFL right away and say, if they are the Los Angeles Rams for example, “Ty Simpson will wear No. 15. That’s it. Book it.”
Sarah: Do the Packers allow e-bikes and e-scooters for the players-riding-bikes-to-practice event?
Richard Ryman: E-bikes and e-scooters are not allowed for the DreamDrive rides. Fans are asked to bring pedal-powered-only bikes and non-motorized scooters.
Now, to be clear, the Packers don’t routinely kick out someone who shows up with an e-bike, but they make it known that the “e” part of that bike is not to be used. The preference is they don’t even bring them.
As you might imagine, it’s a safety issue all around, for players, kids and fans. Players have been known, on rare occasion, to have issues with regular pedal bikes. Imagine what could happen with an unfamiliar, motor-enhanced e-bike in the crowded confines of the ride from stadium to practice field.
And for kids who don’t have traditional pedal bikes, there’s a solution. Adam O’Connell, The Bike Guy, lends free bicycles to those who need them. He can be found in Lot 1 on the southeast side of Lambeau Field most days when there are public practices.
Contact Richard Ryman at rryman@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X at @RichRymanPG and on Instagram at @rrymanPG.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Reader asks why Green Bay Packers rookie jerseys missing from shops?
Reporting by Richard Ryman, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Green Bay Press-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Richard Ryman, Green Bay Press-Gazette | USA TODAY Network
