11 years after the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Laquon Treadwell is still making a living for himself in the league, and a few days ago, the Indianapolis Colts included him on their final 53-man roster for the 2026 season.
On Wednesday, Treadwell spoke to the local Indianapolis media about making the Colts' final roster this year, but a response to a question about his jersey number is what has some current and former NFL players unhappy with the ex-Vikings wide receiver.
Last month, the Colts signed veteran pass-catcher Keenan Allen. Since entering the league in 2013, Allen has worn No. 13 on his jersey during every single season, but in Indianapolis, Treadwell has already been wearing No. 13 on the front of his jersey since the 2025 campaign.
When meeting with the local media on Wednesday, the former Minnesota receiver was asked if he had talked to Allen about giving him the No. 13 jersey to wear before the start of the 2026 season. Treadwell's answer was apparently not something that many were expecting to hear.
"Me and Keenan spoke probably three times already, and he was just like, he's not really worried
about [the jersey number].
And like I told him, I said, 'I respect the game. I know what you did in the number.'
Me and my family did a lot of praying about it as well. So, he was cool with me keeping the
number."
Treadwell added that the success he's had wearing the No. 13 with Indianapolis since last season is a big reason why he wasn't looking to give the jersey number to Allen.
"I've been switching numbers a lot. So, last year I really grew to like 13. I was playing well in it.
My family [and I], we've just been falling in love with the number, and just seeing me out there making plays and having a great camp in it.
So, I just didn't want to stop that momentum."
Former Minnesota Vikings WR Laquon Treadwell has people mad over a jersey number
To some, Treadwell's response seemed fine, and based on what he shared, it doesn't seem like Allen cared too much about letting someone else wear No. 13 this season.
But not everyone was thrilled to find out about Treadwell not giving up his jersey number to Allen this year.
Multiple people, including one current member of the New Orleans Saints and one former NFL player, felt the need to log in to their X account on Wednesday and share their unhappiness with Treadwell for keeping the No. 13.
"'I respect the game'… do you? 13 is just a number to him ,1/hiw many he’s had over his nfl career… this chopped frfr."
- Current New Orleans Saints DE Cam Jordan (@camjordan94 on X)
"Naw this is whack."
- Former NFL player Leger Douzable (@LegerDouzable on X)
"This is bs from Treadwell."
- All City DLLS's Clarence Hill Jr. (@clarencehilljr on X)
"You aren’t at Ole Miss anymore Laquon. No reason on earth for why Keenan Allen shouldn’t have the #13 on his back. 💀"
- PPRFantasyTips (@PPRFantasyTips on X)
Laquon Treadwell has every right to keep the No. 13 on his jersey
Expectations were high for Treadwell when he was drafted by the Vikings in 2016. Minnesota was essentially hoping he would be what Justin Jefferson has been able to become since joining the franchise in 2020.
But that obviously didn't happen, and since Treadwell's final season with the Vikings in 2019, he's been bouncing around the league, basically doing whatever he can to continue his career in the NFL.
In the last seven years, the former Minnesota first-round pick has had stints with the Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, and Seattle Seahawks.
Treadwell has been with Indianapolis since 2024, and he seems to have found a solid role with the organization as one of their top special teams players.
He's bounced around the NFL so much during his career and worn so many different numbers on his jersey, when he finally gets a say in keeping a number, he should take advantage of it, and that's exactly what he's doing.
Success in the NFL doesn't always have to be measured by what a player puts on the stat sheet each season. The fact that Treadwell has been able to remain in the league for as long as he has after his tenure with the Vikings should absolutely be treated as a success.
It's not like he refused to give up the No. 12 for Tom Brady or something. Allen's had a good career in the NFL, but he's arguably never been at the level to demand a jersey number from someone.
Plus, Treadwell said Allen doesn't care about the number, so everyone just needs to relax.
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