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‘Just a very small part of what I can do’: Commanders’ Tress Way gifts No. 5 to Jayden Daniels

  • John Keim, ESPN Staff WriterMay 9, 2024, 11:25 PM ET

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      John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on ‘The John Keim Report’, which airs on ESPN Richmond radio, and follow him on Twitter @john_keim

The Washington Commanders got their quarterback. And their quarterback got his number.

Jayden Daniels, the second overall pick, received the No. 5 from Washington’s longest tenured player, punter Tress Way, in an exchange that involved no cash. Instead, as part of the swap, Daniels will send Way’s family to an Oklahoma–LSU football game after Way retires, according to multiple sources.

Daniels played the past two years at LSU; Way played for Oklahoma. It’s uncertain what else was given to Way, who also said he had not yet chosen a new number.

Daniels wore No. 5 in high school as well as during his three years at Arizona State and two at LSU, where he won the Heisman Trophy last season. Way had worn No. 5 since Washington claimed him off waivers in 2014.

In 10 seasons with Washington, Way has averaged a franchise-best 46.9 yards per punt and his 274 punts inside the 20-yard line are the most by a Washington punter. He has made two Pro Bowl appearances — 2019 and 2022 — and was named second-team All-Pro in 2019.

Way spent parts of two years with the Chicago Bears wearing No. 1 but never made the active roster. In a video posted on X on Thursday, an emotional Way told the host crew on the team-run “Command Center” show that coming to Washington was the first time he felt wanted in the NFL.

Way has been voted a captain four times with Washington. He said on the video that it is hard to envision the “C” for captain on his jersey for a fifth time, when the letter is filled in gold, with a new number alongside it. But he’s embracing his role as a veteran leader in a time of change for the Commanders, with a new owner (Josh Harris), general manager (Adam Peters) and coach (Dan Quinn). Daniels is the final big piece of the makeover for a franchise that hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2005 season and desperately needed one.

“I feel like there’s so much excitement around the organization, hands down more than I’ve ever seen,” said Way, his voice cracking at times. “This is just a very small part of what I can do.”


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