The intrigue was over even before Jayden Daniels got to Commanders Park for rookie minicamp today: he is wearing No. 5.
Punter Tress Way, who has worn No. 5 since joining the Commanders in 2014, has decided to give up No. 5 to Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick who wore that number in high school and college.
"I just feel like there's just so much excitement around this organization, hands down the most I have ever seen," Way said on the most recent episode of Command Center on the Commanders’ website and social media. "I just feel like this is a very small part that I could do."
So, he has given No. 5 to Daniels, something he said he declined to do initially because he felt connected to it after ‘feeling wanted for the first time’ when Washington picked him up in 2014.
And yes, the four-time Pro Bowler did get compensated, but in a fun way: he has simply asked Daniels that when his playing days are over, he would like good seats for a game between Daniels’ alma mater, LSU, and Oklahoma, where he played college ball.
Way has not yet picked a new number, but when he does, it will likely by underneath a gold captain’s C once again.