Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels attempted to protect his personal brand by sending a cease-and-desist letter to LSU. He objected to current Tigers cornerback DJ Pickett wearing the No. 5, the number Daniels wore during his time at LSU. However, the action led to unexpected criticism from fans.
Daniels expressed his frustrations via Instagram, explaining the perceived disrespect. But his effort to gain support quickly turned into social media mockery. High-profile entities like the New York Mets and StubHub joined the fray with their own sarcastic posts. The Mets humorously noted their 4-1 victory over the Washington Nationals, stating they stopped scoring at four “out of respect for Jayden Daniels.” StubHub quipped about halting the sale of tickets in groups of five “out of respect.”
Daniels remained silent during the online uproar. At a press conference following a joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens, he dismissed further discussion. “I posted the statement on Instagram and said everything I needed to say. So, appreciate y’all,” he responded when questioned about the issue.
This situation marks a stormy start for Daniels as he prepares for the upcoming NFL season. Despite the media frenzy, he maintains focus on his training. He emphasized this in his statement, citing his commitment to the Commanders’ training camp.
Daniels, who won the Heisman Trophy with LSU, reiterated his appreciation for his university tenure. He voiced a desire for a private resolution with LSU, stating, “I have been locked in on training camp and that’s been my number one focus. I have a lot of gratitude for my time at LSU and I’m proud of what my teammates and I accomplished there.”
As Daniels enters the 2026 NFL season, he hopes to play a full schedule, avoiding the injuries that limited his previous season. His rookie year in 2024 was impressive, earning him the title of Offensive Rookie of the Year after leading his team to the NFC Championship Game. However, a shortened 2025 season hampered the Commanders’ playoff aspirations.