March 19, 2026, 2:32 p.m. MT
Quarterback Kyler Murray wore No. 1 for the Arizona Cardinals for seven seasons. Now that he has been released and since signed with the Minnesota Vikings, No. 1 is up for grabs.
That is, it was.
There is a new No. 1 for the Cardinals.
Mack Wilson, new No. 1
He announced the number change on social media with this video.
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Wilson returns in 2026 as the team’s starting mike linebacker, relaying defensive playcalls from defensive coordinator Nick Rallis to the players on the field.
He wore No. 2 for the last two seasons.
The history of No. 1
No. 1 has not been used much in the Cardinals’ history. It was used from 1920-1929 by a handful of offensive players, most notably by Hall of Famer Paddy Driscoll.
After that, it wasn’t used until this century. It was worn by three different kickers, most notably Neil Rackers from 2003-2009.
Hall of Fame receiver Larry Fitzgerald would have worn No. 1 if he had been allowed. He wore it in college but receivers were not allowed to wear single-digit numbers when he entered the league, so he chose the next best thing — two number ones, or No. 11.
Murray was the first quarterback to wear it.
Wilson will be the first defensive player in franchise history.
Who will wear No. 2?
Second-year cornerback Will Johnson made a social media post a while ago about changing to his roots of No. 2, which he wore collegiately at Michigan. He will take over Wilson’s No. 2 after wearing No. 0 as a rookie.
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