RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Things got weird between the LSU Tigers and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels this week. Daniels, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2023 in his final season at LSU, recently sent a cease-and-desist letter to his alma mater over the use of his NIL (name, image and likeness) moving forward.
The dispute reportedly centers on LSU giving Daniels' No. 5 to sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin, in his first season with the Tigers, said the number was promised to Pickett during his recruitment by LSU's former coaching staff, led by then-head coach Brian Kelly.
Pickett and his father weighed in on the situation on Thursday, and so did Daniels, who released a statement saying his sole focus was on the Commanders. Daniels did say he hoped both sides would resolve the situation.
On Thursday night, someone who could probably understand the situation better than most, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, was asked about it after his preseason game against the Detroit Lions .
Burrow, who played at LSU in 2018 and 2019, led the Tigers to an undefeated season and the national championship and won the Heisman Trophy in 2019.
"I just heard about it a couple hours ago," Burrow said, via Caleb Noe of WCPO. "I don't necessarily have too many thoughts at this time. I just — I don't know enough about the situation to have any thoughts, I would say."
Then Burrow was asked whether LSU had promised him they wouldn't allow anyone to wear his No. 9 moving forward.
"Yeah, they told me that they wouldn't use it again, but, you know, you never know — you never know what happens."
"They told me they wouldn't use it again." - Joe Burrow, on LSU football & the number 9 "I don't know enough about the (Jayden Daniels) situation to have any thoughts." #Bengals #LSU pic.twitter.com/S95MoEfFRr
— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) August 14, 2026 LSU undoubtedly told Daniels the same thing. Burrow and Daniels, along with Billy Cannon, are the only Heisman Trophy winners in the school's history. Cannon's No. 20 is the only jersey that LSU has officially retired.
Burrow clearly wasn't comfortable discussing the situation, but he was honest.
The problem in this situation isn't Kiffin, Daniels, or Pickett. It was Kelly who made the promise during Pickett's recruitment, and he's since been fired.
Would Kelly have promised Burrow's No. 9 to a high school recruit if it meant them signing with LSU? We'll never know, but probably so.
The quicker this unfortunate situation is resolved, the better for all parties involved.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Joe Burrow responds to Jayden Daniels-LSU drama
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