Why Does Jayden Daniels Wear 5? Unpacking The Story Behind The Commanders' New Quarterback's Number

It's not just some random pick, you see. This number carries a lot of personal meaning for him, stretching back to his earlier days in football. It's connected to his journey, his inspirations, and even a rather generous gesture from a veteran teammate. That, in a way, makes the number feel even more special for the young quarterback.

So, if you've been asking yourself, "Why does Jayden Daniels wear 5?" you're definitely not alone. It's a question many folks have had since he joined the team. We're going to break down all the reasons and the whole story right here, giving you a complete picture of why number 5 is now gracing the back of his Commanders jersey.

Table of Contents

• Jayden Daniels: A Brief Overview
• The Meaning Behind the Number 5
  • A Consistent Choice From the Start
  • Inspired by a Football Hero
• The Classy Gesture from Tress Way
  • Way's Long History with Number 5
  • A Captain's Duty
  • The Unique Exchange
• The Official Announcement
• Frequently Asked Questions

Jayden Daniels: A Brief Overview

Before we dive into the jersey number, it's worth getting to know a bit about Jayden Daniels himself. He's a very talented football player, picked second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. This means a lot of eyes are on him, naturally. He's known for being a dual-threat quarterback, which means he can hurt defenses with both his arm and his legs, you know. He's quite a dynamic presence on the field, which is exciting for any team.

The Meaning Behind the Number 5

So, why number 5? It's not just a random pick for Jayden Daniels, you know. This particular number holds a lot of personal history and inspiration for him. He's had it for a long time, and it seems to represent his journey in the sport, which is pretty cool.

A Consistent Choice From the Start

It turns out that number 5 is actually a very familiar sight for Daniels. He's worn it pretty consistently throughout his football career, which is kind of rare for players sometimes. He had number 5 back in his high school days, for instance, which is where many players first start making a name for themselves. Then, when he moved on to play college football, he kept that same number. He wore it at Arizona State University, and he also kept it during his time at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he really shined. This consistency, you know, shows a certain attachment to the number, almost like it's part of his identity on the field.

For Daniels, keeping the number 5 through all those different stages of his football life was a part of his bigger picture. It was a step, you could say, in working toward his ultimate goal. That goal wasn't just to make it to the NFL, but to become a top draft pick, which he certainly achieved. So, in a way, the number 5 has been with him every step of that journey, from his early days throwing passes to becoming a professional quarterback.

Inspired by a Football Hero

Beyond his own personal history with the number, there's another really interesting layer to why Jayden Daniels chose 5. He actually draws some of his numeric inspiration from a football idol, a player he really looked up to. That player is Donovan McNabb, a former quarterback who famously wore number 5 for the Philadelphia Eagles. It's pretty neat when you think about it, how a young player can be so influenced by someone they watched growing up, you know.

Daniels, in an older interview from his time in Arizona, shared that he was quite a fan of McNabb. It's a connection that goes beyond just liking a player; it's about respecting their game and, in this case, even their jersey choice. It's a bit ironic, perhaps, that McNabb also played for the Commanders later in his career, though that was after his prime. But for Daniels, the connection to McNabb and the number 5 runs deep, stemming from those Eagles days. So, in a way, wearing 5 is a nod to a player who helped shape his love for the game, which is rather touching.

The Classy Gesture from Tress Way

Now, getting the number 5 for the Washington Commanders wasn't as simple as just asking for it. There was a slight hurdle, you see, in the form of a very respected veteran player. This is where the story gets even more interesting, showing a real moment of sportsmanship. The number 5 was already taken by the team's long-time punter, Tress Way, and he'd had it for quite a while, too. So, a bit of a negotiation, or rather, a very kind exchange, had to happen.

Way's Long History with Number 5

Tress Way has been a fixture for the Commanders, wearing number 5 for all ten of his seasons with the team, ever since he was claimed off waivers back in 2014. That's a pretty significant amount of time to wear a specific number, you know. It becomes part of your identity with the team and with the fans. For a punter, to have such a recognizable number for so long, it really shows his dedication and his place within the team. So, for Daniels to want that number, it meant asking a lot from a player who had built a history with it, which is something to consider.

A Captain's Duty

Initially, there was a moment where Way, you know, wasn't quite ready to give up his number. That's understandable, given his long history with it. Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters actually gave Way some time to think about what he wanted to do with his jersey number, which was a nice touch, really. But then, something shifted for Way. In an emotional interview, he explained his change of heart. He felt a sense of responsibility, a "captain's duty," to hand over the number to Daniels. He saw it as a gift to the new quarterback, a way to welcome him and perhaps symbolize a passing of the torch, which is pretty profound.

The Unique Exchange

What makes this story even more remarkable is how the number exchange actually happened. It wasn't about money, which is often the case when players trade numbers, you know. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Way specifically did not want any cash from Daniels for the number 5. Instead, they worked out a very personal and unique deal. As part of the arrangement, Daniels plans to send Way and his family to an Oklahoma Sooners versus LSU Tigers football game. This is a very thoughtful gesture, connecting Daniels' college roots with Way's family, and it just shows a genuine connection between the two players. It's a really cool way to make a number swap happen, and it speaks volumes about the character of both men, frankly.

Daniels himself acknowledged Way's generosity, saying, "Shoutout Tress, allowing me to wear his jersey." This simple statement, you know, shows his appreciation for the punter's willingness to give up something so personal. It's a nice start to his time with the Commanders, building good relationships from the get-go.

The Official Announcement

The whole jersey number situation came to a head fairly quickly after the draft. Exactly two weeks after the Washington Commanders selected Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, his jersey number became official. This timing was important, you see, because rookies were reporting for minicamp and joint OTAs around that period. It meant Daniels could step onto the field with his chosen number right away, which is pretty exciting for a new player. So, now, when you see Jayden Daniels in burgundy and gold, you'll know exactly why he's wearing number 5.

You can learn more about Washington Commanders history on our site, and check out this page for more player profiles. For more information on the NFL and its players, you might want to visit the official NFL website, which is always a good resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Tress Way give Jayden Daniels his number?

Tress Way, the Commanders' punter, gave Jayden Daniels his number 5 out of what he described as a "captain's duty." He felt it was important to welcome the new franchise quarterback and made a deal that involved no cash, but rather a trip for Way and his family to an Oklahoma Sooners vs. LSU Tigers football game. It was a very kind and personal gesture, you know.

What number did Jayden Daniels wear in college?

Jayden Daniels consistently wore number 5 throughout his college career. He wore it both at Arizona State University and later at Louisiana State University (LSU). This shows a real connection to the number, which is pretty neat.

Who is Donovan McNabb and how is he connected to Jayden Daniels' number choice?

Donovan McNabb is a former NFL quarterback, most famous for his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he also wore number 5. Jayden Daniels has said that McNabb was a football idol of his, and that McNabb's wearing of number 5 influenced Daniels' own choice of the jersey number. So, it's a bit of a tribute, you could say.