Malachi Corley’s jersey change forces him to face a brutal statistical reality

Malachi Corley is switching jersey numbers again. The second-year wide receiver will officially wear No. 6 for the New York Jets in 2025, marking the third different number he’s worn in as many years with the team.

It’s an oddly (and unfortunately) symbolic figure. Corley, once the hand-picked draft crush of former general manager Joe Douglas and ex-Jets head coach Robert Saleh, has now changed his number just as many times as he has career NFL catches.

The former Western Kentucky star recorded just three receptions for 16 yards as a rookie, appearing in nine games and spending much of the season as a healthy scratch buried on the depth chart.

But with a new regime in place and a wide-open receiver room around him, this latest jersey swap could be the clean slate he needs. Consider this a fresh start for the former third-round pick.

Malachi Corley has had as many jersey numbers as career catches with the NY Jets

Corley isn’t the only Jets player getting a new look. Former first-round pick Will McDonald will trade in his No. 99 jersey for No. 9, his old college number at Iowa State, following the team’s release of veteran kicker Greg Zuerlein.

As for Corley, it's safe to say his rookie year didn’t go as planned. Corley was drafted 65th overall in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft after then-head coach Robert Saleh famously texted Joe Douglas, “No matter what,” with Corley’s picture attached.

But after earning that fan-favorite label before he ever played a snap, Corley finished the year with just three receptions for 16 yards. He appeared in only nine games, was a healthy scratch multiple times, and became best known for fumbling away a would-be touchdown at the goal line in Week 9 against Houston.

Fast forward to 2025, and the path to redemption isn’t entirely closed. Garrett Wilson is still the unquestioned No. 1, but the rest of the Jets’ wide receiver depth chart is wide open.

Veterans Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard (if he’s not traded) are competing for roles, while players like Tyler Johnson, rookie Arian Smith, and Xavier Gipson are all in the mix.

With a new coaching staff that has no ties to the previous regime or their draft picks, Corley might finally have a shot to earn his spot. Changing your number won’t change your trajectory, but maybe, just maybe, it’s a start.

Corley’s NFL journey is off to a rocky start, but a new jersey number and a fresh regime could offer the clean slate he needs. If he’s going to turn things around, it has to start now.

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