Jayden Daniels Needs to Focus on Commanders, Not LSU’s No. 5 Jersey

Last season was a little rocky for the 2024 Rookie of the Year, Jayden Daniels. Injuries were a massive issue for the entire Commanders roster, but even when Daniels was on the field, he didn’t look as electric as he did in his rookie season.

You’d think going into a pivotal third season in the league, he would be locked in with Washington, but he’s been anything but that.

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported that Jayden Daniels is taking legal action to prevent LSU from using his name, image, and likeness. It has been reported that Daniels is furious that the Tigers are allowing sophomore corner DJ Pickett to wear his former number five jersey.

Where former LSU head coach Brian Kelly, recruited Pickett, he had offered him number five, but then rescinded his offer after Daniels pushed back on the decision. Daniels is a former Heisman trophy winner during his time at LSU, and has had continued success in the early stages of his NFL career, so I can see why he would feel disrespected.

However, then I actually thought about it. While yes, statistically, Daniels was great in his Heisman trophy winning season, the actual season was less than memorable for a national title contending squad in LSU.

During that Heisman campaign, the Tigers went 9-3, and won one ranked game over a solid Missouri team. Not only that, but they lost to arguably their two biggest rivals in Alabama and Ole Miss, then sat out the bowl game.

Not only that, but it’s not like Daniels’ number is even retired. LSU only has one number, 20 (Billy Cannnon 1957-59), fully retired anyways, so I really don’t get the frustration.

Okay, but maybe this is just a bad look for LSU, it’s not like other schools let players wear their former Heisman winners jerseys… except it happens all the time!

Tim Tebow, Trevor Lawrence, Bryce Young, and Johnny Manziel have all had their numbers worn again, and haven’t needed to complain about it to the media. Also, at the college level you’re filling out massive rosters and trying to win recruits any way you can, you’d think you’d be more understanding of a team not preventing your number from being worn again.

Most importantly, Jayden Daniels doesn’t need extra bad press right now. Just focus on Washington and try to keep your name out of the mud. If he was smart, he would have handled this like Michael Irvin. “When Ceedee Lamb [is] wearing 88, every Sunday he step on the football field, when he misses a ball they say “Michael Irvin wouldn’t have dropped that” and if he catches the ball they say “look like Mike Irvin.”