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 78 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. No player on New England's roster currently wears No. 78 and no one has since it was retired back in 2001.
In total, nine players have worn No. 78 for the Patriots. With 78 days until their Week 1 contest, here's a look at everyone who's worn No. 78 for the team:
OT Bruce Armstrong: 1987-2000
Armstong was drafted in the first round of the 1987 NFL draft and started 212 games for New England in his 14 seasons with the team, making six Pro Bowls and three All-Pro Second-teams.
OL Eric Stokes: 1987
Stokes was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 1985 NFL draft following a collegiate career at Northeastern. He appeared in just one game for the Patriots in 1987.
DL Marshall Harris: 1983
Harris was drafted by the New York Jets in the eighth round of the 1979 NFL draft after playing at TCU. He spent three years with the Cleveland Browns from 1980-82. He played six games for the Patriots in 1983, recording a half-sack.
OL Art Kuehn: 1983
Kuehn was drafted by Washington in the 15th round of the 1975 NFL draft following stops at San Jose State and UCLA in college. He played seven seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and two games for the Patriots in 1983.
DE Ron Spears: 1982-83
Spears was undrafted after playing at San Deigo State. He joined the Dallas Cowboys from 1981-82 before appearing in eight games for the Patriots over two seasons.
DL Tony McGee: 1974-81
McGee was a third-round pick of the Chicago Bears in the 1971 NFL draft out of Wyoming and Bishop. After three seasons with Chicago, he joined the Patriots for eight years and finished with three more in Washington. With the patriots he recorded 77 sacks and three fumble recoveries.
OL Willie Banks: 1973
Banks was taken in the sixth-round of the 1968 NFL draft by Washington. After two seasons with them, he spent one with the New York Giants and then one year (13 games) with the Patriots.
DE Dennis Byrd: 1968
Byrd was a first-round pick of the Boston Patriots in the 1968 NFL draft after playing at North Carolina State. He played just one season due to a knee injury he suffered in college, recording 3.5 sacks.
T/DE Jim Boudreaux: 1966-67
Boudreaux was Boston's second-round pick in the 1966 AFL draft and the Cleveland Browns' 13th-round pick in the NFL draft. He spent three seasons with the Patriot, appearing in 12 games.
