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Jayden Daniels wins AP Offensive Rookie of the Year after historic season

By and FOX 5 DC Digital Team
Published  February 6, 2025 7:14pm MST
NFL
FOX 5 DC

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 15: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders reacts against the New Orleans Saints during a game at Caesars Superdome on December 15, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

The Brief

    • Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was named the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year after a record-breaking first NFL season.
    • Daniels led the Commanders to 12 wins and became just the sixth rookie quarterback to start in a conference championship game.
    • He posted a 100.1 passer rating, 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, and only nine interceptions in 17 games.
    • Analysts say Daniels’ season rivals some of the greatest rookie QB performances in NFL history.

NEW ORLEANS - Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was named the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year on Thursday night, capping off a record-setting first season in the NFL.

Jayden Daniels takes home ROTY honors

The backstory:

Daniels accepted the honor at the annual NFL Honors awards show in New Orleans, just days before Super Bowl LVIII. His stellar debut campaign included 12 wins, a trip to the playoffs, and a historic run to the NFC Championship game—making him just the sixth rookie quarterback ever to start in a conference title matchup.

With a 100.1 passer rating, 3,568 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and just nine interceptions in 17 games, Daniels’ performance drew comparisons to some of the greatest rookie quarterbacks in league history.

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What they're saying:

Longtime D.C. sports voices Al Galdi and Andy Pollin both weighed in on Daniels' season, noting his ability to lead a team without a dominant defense—something few rookie quarterbacks have done at this level.

"I think of the six [rookie QBs to reach a conference championship], he's the one that did it on his back," Pollin, of ESPN 630, said. "The others were good enough players to ride with a great defense. This was a lowly ranked defense."

Jayden Daniels at the 14th Annual NFL Honors held at Saenger Theatre on February 06, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images)

Galdi, host of The Al Galdi Podcast, pointed out that the last Washington rookie quarterback to deliver a championship-level season was Sammy Baugh in 1937.

"You could argue that might be the greatest rookie season by a quarterback ever," Galdi said. "But if it’s not that, Jayden Daniels many, many years later may have topped that. Daniels was superb."

The conversation has already shifted to what’s next for the young quarterback. Could an MVP award be in his future?

"After this season," Pollin said, "why not?"     

Check out his acceptance speech below: 

NFLU.S.