Jayden Daniels made headlines on Thursday when he informed LSU that they are no longer allowed to use his name, image, and likeness. The news began to take on a life of its own as everyone interjected their opinions. Following the initial report of the cease and desist from ESPN, a statement from the Washington Commanders quarterback surfaced, per USA Today: "The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU's decision to give Jayden's number to another player. Jayden and his family had every reason to believe his number would remain a meaningful part of his LSU legacy, honored and protected in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the university." The situation has come with various levels of new information surfacing, but one name that landed at the center of it was Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Burrow, whose No. 9 hasn't been worn at LSU since he led the team to a national championship while winning the Heisman. On Friday, reporters asked him about the situation, as CLNS NFL reporter Mike Petraglia revealed. "I don't know too much about it," Burrow said. "I just heard about it a couple of hours ago. I don't necessarily have too many thoughts at this time. I just don't know enough about the situation to have any thoughts, I would say." He was also asked whether he had heard anything regarding his own jersey number and the use of it, and he revealed that LSU told him it wouldn't be worn again. "They told me that they wouldn't use it again, but you never know what happens," Burrow added.
Joe Burrow on the Jayden Daniels jersey controversy at LSU pic.twitter.com/enm1REY086 — Mike Petraglia (@Trags) August 14, 2026 Daniels also addressed the situation in a social media post, expressing his gratitude to LSU and adding that "obviously there are issues to be worked out" between the two sides.
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels addresses the LSU NIL story, and makes it clear his full personal focus is on the 2026 NFL season. pic.twitter.com/UJZ4yQFzq0 — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 13, 2026 Daniels' No. 5 at LSU is being worn by sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett, who revealed he has no plans to change numbers while speaking with the media. "I've worn the number my whole life, since I was four years old," he said. "It's the number I was promised. I wish Jayden the best. Good player, and he did real good here. So, that's all." This article originally appeared on For The Win: Joe Burrow breaks silence on Jayden Daniels' LSU cease and desist