The 2025 NFL draft is over, and the Kansas City Chiefs’ newest collection of rookies hasn’t wasted time settling into their new surroundings. After all, there isn’t much time for the promising prospects to relax, as the Chiefs’ annual rookie minicamp is set to begin Saturday before concluding on Monday.
With the action quickly approaching, members of the Chiefs’ 2025 rookie class have already begun selecting their first NFL numbers. Although some rookies are doing their best to stick to their collegiate numbers, that isn’t possible for everyone if a veteran already owns those digits.
With second-year wideout Xavier Worthy already rocking No. 1, incoming rookie WR Jalen Royals was forced to find a new number. It didn’t take the ex-Utah State playmaker long to make his decision; one that officially guarantees a former quarterback won’t be returning to Kansas City this year.
Former Chiefs QB Carson Wentz Officially Gone as WR Jalen Royals Chooses No. 11
On Friday morning, it was confirmed that Royals will be wearing No. 11 during his Chiefs rookie season. The first-year wideout’s new digits were previously worn by quarterback Carson Wentz, whose offseason exit is official now that the 2025 fourth-rounder has stolen his jersey number.
Kansas City Chiefs WR Jalen Royals (@RoyalsJalen) is wearing number 11. Last assigned to Carson Wentz. #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/F8ab0HHugR
— NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl_jersey_num) May 2, 2025
Even though it’ll be weird seeing a different player sporting No. 11, Wentz’s official exit isn’t that surprising for Chiefs fans. Kansas City signed veteran QBs Bailey Zappe and Gardner Minshew to one-year contracts shortly after free agency began, and that’s without mentioning the returning Chris Oladokun, who’s been with the Chiefs since 2022.
In other words, Wentz was the odd man out after only one season on ehad coach Andy Reid’s roster.
The former All-Pro QB joined the Chiefs on a one-year contract last offseason, marking the fourth franchise in as many years he joined. Any signal-caller playing behind Patrick Mahomes knows their job is usually light on work, which Wentz experienced as he only made one start in three appearances, completing 12-of-19 passes (63.2%) for 118 yards and an 80.6 passer rating without a touchdown or interception.
Wentz is still a free agent now that May is underway. Having said that, a quarterback with nearly 100 career starts, 22,410 passing yards, 153 TD passes, and a Super Bowl ring likely won’t stay unemployed forever, even if he’s no longer an MVP-caliber player.
In the meantime, all eyes will be on Royals to see how quickly he can make Chiefs fans forget about Wentz. The dynamic playmaker racked up 1,914 receiving yards and 21 TD grabs on 126 catches across 20 outings with the Utah State Aggies, leaving time to tell if he has what it takes to become one of Mahomes’ top weapons.
