The New England Patriots will open their 2024 campaign against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Sunday, September 8 at 1:00 p.m. ET, which is now 69 days away.
Until the opening kickoff of the season for the Patriots, we’ll be counting down each day by looking back at those who have worn each specific jersey number.
Since 1960, eight players have worn No. 69 in New England, and with 69 days until their first game of the year, here’s a look at everyone who’s worn the number for the team:
OL Cole Strange: 2022-Present
Strange was a first-round pick of the Patriots in the 2022 draft out of Chattanooga. Through two seasons, he’s appeared and started in 27 games for the team but suffered a serious knee injury that ended his second year prematurely.
OL Shaq Mason: 2015-21
Mason was a fourth-round pick of the Patriots in the 2015 draft out of Georgia Tech. He appeared in 103 games for New England in his seven seasons, helping them win two Super Bowls. He was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022 and traded again to the Houston Texans in 2023.
DE Alex Silvestro: 2011
Silvestro went undrafted in 2011 out of Rutgers and signed with New England. He appeared in just one game in his lone season before spending the 2012 season on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad.
OL Quinn Ojunnaka: 2010
Ojunnaka was a fifth-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2006 out of Syracuse. After four seasons, he was traded to the Patriots and appeared in eight games for the team in 2010. Following a season with the Indianapolis Colts and another with the St. Louis Rams, Ojunnaka became a professional wrestler. He’s currently signed to TNA.
OL Ryan Wendell: 2009
Wendell went undrafted in 2008 out of Fresno State and signed with the Patriots. He appeared in 79 games over eight seasons for the team, helping them win Super Bowl 49. He played just one more season with the Carolina Panthers before transitioning to coaching, as he currently serves as the Los Angeles Rams offensive line coach.
OL Ross Tucker: 2005
Tucker went undrafted in 2001 out of Princeton and signed with Washington. After two years in Washington, one with the Dallas Cowboys and two with the Buffalo Bills, he joined the Patriots for one season. He appeared in just one game for the team before being traded to the Cleveland Browns. Tucker retired with Washington in 2007 and transitioned to broadcasting.
OL Eugene Chung: 1992-94
Chung was a first-round pick of the Patriots in the 1992 draft out of Virginia Tech. He appeared in 34 games for the team over three seasons before spending two years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, one with the Indianapolis Colts, two with the Kansas City Chiefs and one with the Philadelphia Eagles. Chung coached in the NFL from 2010-19.
DL Julius Adams: 1971-87
Adams was a second-round pick of the Patriots in 1971 out of Texas Southern. He appeared in 206 games over 16 seasons, recording 80.5 sacks. He made the Pro Bowl in 1980 and was named to the team’s All-1970s and All-1980s rosters.
