Number 17’s New Orleans Legacy | New Orleans Saints News

With just seventeen days until the Saints’ 2026 season opener, jersey number seventeen is now worn by punter Ryan Wright — a move aimed at bringing stability to a critical position. The number’s history in New Orleans is rich and varied, having been donned by quarterbacks like Billy Kilmer (who started the franchise’s first game) and Jim Everett (a mid-90s standout), as well as wide receivers Robert Meachem (Super Bowl XLIV hero) and Emmanuel Sanders. Before Wright, only three punters had worn it — making his selection both symbolic and strategic. After years of turnover, including brief stints by Dante Pettis and Trey Palmer (who missed the entire 2025 season), the Saints are banking on Wright to make number seventeen his own again — and this time, it’s all about precision, not passing or catching. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/b41265266e2db7cb