Jayden Daniels speaks out on LSU jersey number controversy

Jayden Daniels opened up about the controversy surrounding the decision by the NFL quarterback to slap his former school with a cease-and-desist letter prohibiting LSU from using his name, image or likeness. 

News of the demand, which was sent to LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry on Aug. 5, was reported by ESPN Wednesday night and Daniels issued a statement through his social media channels on Thursday afternoon. 

“I have been locked in on training camp and that’s been my number one focus,” Daniels said. “I have a lot of gratitude for my time at LSU and I’m proud of what my teammates and I accomplished there. Obviously there are issues to be worked out between my team and LSU and my hope is that it will get done privately. My sole personal focus is on Commanders’ football. I realize the business of football is unique and I trust this can all be resolved.”

Daniels issued the letter after LSU gave his No. 5 jersey to sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett. 

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels works out during practice at the team’s NFL football training camp on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Ashburn, Va. AP Photo/John McDonnell

The issue at hand stems from Daniels’ family’s belief that his number would be “honored and protected” and would be a “meaningful” part of Daniels’ legacy in Baton Rouge. 

“The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU’s decision to give Jayden’s number to another player,” a Daniels spokesperson told ESPN. 

Daniels’ number has not been worn by another LSU player since he went to the NFL, but No. 5 was never officially retired by the football program. 

The letter to LSU, according to ESPN, noted that Daniels’ NIL agreement with LSU allowed the school to use his name, image and likeness for 180 days after his final game in college. 

“Any use of Mr. Daniels’ NIL occurring after LSU’s receipt of this notice will be deemed knowing and willful and will be pursued vigorously through all available legal and equitable remedies, without further notice,” the cease and desist letter stated. 

Jayden Daniels #5 of the LSU Tigers runs with the ball during the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Getty Images

Pickett had been given the No. 5 to wear when LSU opened its preseason practices last week. 

When asked about the controversy on Thursday, head coach Lane Kiffin directed reporters to comments he made last week when he said that Pickett had been promised No. 5 when he had been recruited to LSU. 

“I’ve done a lot of research on that with the family and the representatives and the people, so really I didn’t have a decision to make,” Kiffin said last week. “It was promised to the kid. It wasn’t done for whatever [reason]. I’m not going to get into that.

“I’m not going to judge something [that was done] when I wasn’t here. But when a kid is promised something to come to a school, he should wear it. So at that point, I don’t think that’s really my decision. We should honor what he was told.”