- May 21, 2026
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The sudden and surprising scuffle between Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and LSU over the re-issuance of his number (5) has implicated Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, given that the school has to date honored its vow to not use his number (9) again.
After Thursday night's preseason opener against the Lions, Burrow was asked about the situation.
"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."
Burrow added that he received a similar promise that LSU wouldn't use his number again.
"They told me that they wouldn’t use it again," Burrow said, "but, you know, you never know — you never know what happens."
Indeed you don't. If, for instance, cornerback DJ Pickett had wanted to wear No. 9 instead of No. 5, former LSU coach Brian Kelly may have made the same promise regarding Burrow's number that was made regarding Daniels's number. (With no apparent intention of honoring it.)
The key here was the coaching change. Lane Kiffin was able to placate Pickett while blaming Kelly for giving his word (directly or indirectly) that Pickett could wear No. 5. What no one expected was the aggressive reaction from Daniels's camp, which ultimately didn't do Daniels (or LSU) any favors.
After Thursday night's preseason opener against the Lions, Burrow was asked about the situation.
"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."
Burrow added that he received a similar promise that LSU wouldn't use his number again.
"They told me that they wouldn’t use it again," Burrow said, "but, you know, you never know — you never know what happens."
Indeed you don't. If, for instance, cornerback DJ Pickett had wanted to wear No. 9 instead of No. 5, former LSU coach Brian Kelly may have made the same promise regarding Burrow's number that was made regarding Daniels's number. (With no apparent intention of honoring it.)
The key here was the coaching change. Lane Kiffin was able to placate Pickett while blaming Kelly for giving his word (directly or indirectly) that Pickett could wear No. 5. What no one expected was the aggressive reaction from Daniels's camp, which ultimately didn't do Daniels (or LSU) any favors.