Jayden Daniels is currently preparing for his third NFL season as quarterback of the Washington Commanders. His first year in the league was a revelation as the dual-threat weapon captured Rookie of the Year honors and elevated his team deep into the playoffs. Any hopes of building upon that instant success evaporated when his sophomore campaign was derailed by injury. So a very important season looms for one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the league.
Which makes the ESPN headline that dropped on Wednesday even stranger.
Daniels and his attorney issued a cease and desist to the SEC program, the network reported. The Commanders star feels that his body of work with LSU should result in his collegiate jersey being retired.
MORE: Jayden Daniels fumes over LSU not retiring no. 5 college football jersey
“Jayden made it clear that he did not want his number given to another player, and he believed his wishes would be respected,” the statement said. “His Heisman Trophy-winning season and everything he accomplished on and off the field cemented his place in LSU history. To see his number given to another player is incredibly disappointing and feels like a failure to honor the significance of what Jayden accomplished at LSU.”
Sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett is expected to wear the No. 5 for the Tigers this season, with new head coach Lane Kiffin stating that the uniform was promised to Pickett when he was recruited.
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports that Daniels reportedly is upset with his treatment in comparison to Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow. The NFL star’s former No. 9 jersey hasn’t been worn since he was drafted into the NFL.
It’s perfectly understandable to passionate about one’s legacy. Daniels clearly believes what he did during his Heisman Trophy-winning year in 2023 should be enough to keep any other LSU player from wearing what he believes is his number.
And while that may be fair, getting lawyers involved is quite lame.
The key difference between Burrow and Daniels is that the former led one of the best collegiate offenses of all time to a national championship. Daniels went 10-4 and then 10-3 as a starter at LSU and his last act was opting out of the ReliaQuest Bowl.
There’s certainly nothing wrong with a player making sure he doesn’t get injured and ruin a high draft stock but that isn’t how Burrow closed his chapter in Baton Rouge.
The biggest risk, in my mind, of opening up this Pandora’s Box is the prospect of Daniels getting his way with LSU both ceasing and desisting. What then? Everyone knows that you effectively called in the manager to take away some kid’s chance to wear his favorite number? Congratulations on punching down.
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