The No. 24 jersey number is one of the more storied ones in the history of the Silver and Black. After a brief disappearance in 2016, the jersey will be worn by a new suitor.
Legendary defensive back Charles Woodson was the last Raider to wear No. 24, and he gave his blessing for Marshawn Lynch to become the newest player to don the number.
"I'm excited about it for Marshawn to have a chance to come home and play in front of friends and family," Woodson told ESPN. "That number 24, that's something special with the Raiders. I don't think there's anybody more worthy than Marshawn to wear that number."
Woodson and Lynch both retired in 2015, with the former now excited for the latter's homecoming. Despite the spotlight's fixation on Lynch's return to Oakland, Woodson doesn't think it will be a distraction.
"We all like to have fun; that's not going to be an issue," Woodson said. "It would be different if he was a younger player just coming into the league. But he's a seasoned pro now with a different perspective of the NFL.
"It's a positive and a plus to have him at this stage of his career. His main intention is to win a championship for Oakland."
The Raiders have not won a title since 1984, and Woodson was a part of the Raiders' last Super Bowl appearance in 2002. Oakland's offense in that campaign led the league in yards per game and was second in scoring. Woodson has high hopes that this current collection of firepower can make similar noise.
"It's already a spectacular offense with Derek Carr, Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree and those two young running backs [DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard] and a strong offensive line. I don't think you're going to see a better offense in the league."
