Jayden Daniels Needs a Big Year to Put the No. 5 Controversy Behind Him

Jayden Daniels needs a big year with the Washington Commanders.

The 2024 No. 2 overall draft pick shocked the football world by sending a cease and desist to LSU for using his Name, Image and Likeness over a dispute involving the No. 5 jersey number. Daniels’ representation doesn’t believe he’s getting the same respect that fellow LSU Heisman winner Joe Burrow receives at the university, as nobody has worn his No. 9 since entering the NFL in 2020.

Even though Daniels has stated his focus is on the Commanders, this story has completely spiraled out of control. During the first 24 hours following ESPN’s initial report of the cease and desist, Daniels turned into a bit of a villain for seemingly not wanting sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett to wear No. 5.

But now?

This story has turned into the biggest meme in sports. After five-run baseball games, MLB teams are taking jabs at Daniels. Major companies, brands and influencers are making fun of the story. And if he doesn’t have a bounce back third season with the Commanders, this bizarre story about his college uniform number could define his career.

As a rookie, Daniels led the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game. Following his Heisman season at LSU, it certainly seemed like Daniels was in line to be one of the next great quarterbacks in football. But his sophomore year was decimated by injuries, starting just seven games, completing 60% of passes for eight touchdowns and three interceptions.

In his third season, Daniels needs a big year. Especially early on. The Commanders open their season with back-to-back divisional matchups against the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. In Week 3, they play the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.

That’s three very difficult games that Daniels will need to look good in. Because if he doesn’t, the memes about this No. 5 thing are only going to get worse. That’s how gigantic this story has gotten. It has the potential to completely undo a historic rookie campaign that nearly resulted in a Super Bowl berth. If the story spirals out of control, it could cost the Commanders their franchise quarterback.

Of course, that’s a bit dramatic.

But two down years following that electric rookie campaign paired with a bizarre off the field story would put Washington in an odd position with their franchise quarterback.

As long as Daniels gets back to throwing touchdown passes, this story will go away. If it doesn’t? We’d hate to see what could happen next.