How many rookie quarterbacks have played in an NFL Conference Championship? Jayden Daniels joins exclusive list
The Commanders QB and top contender for this year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award is one of few rookies to take his team to a Conference title game.
This Sunday, the Washington Commanders will be playing in their first Conference Championship game in 19 years. They can thank their rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels for that.
Daniels has been sensational in his first NFL season, becoming the first player in franchise history to throw for 25 touchdown passes and fewer than 10 interceptions. His 891 rushing yards are the most of any rookie quarterback in NFL history.
“Not only has he had the best rookie season ever, you can make the case it's the most impactful rookie season ever."
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) January 23, 2025
—@danorlovsky7 on Jayden Daniels pic.twitter.com/TSbZzbXwhg
Jayden Daniels joins exclusive NFL club
Daniels led the Commanders to a 12-5 season, 10 straight games with zero turnovers, and six straight wins with 17 touchdowns in that stretch. Two of those last five wins came against opponents in the playoffs on the road. Their most recent victory was a 45-31 upset in the Divisional Round against the Detroit Lions, who had just two losses all regular season and were the top seed in the NFC.
Not only is this the Commanders' first NFC title game in 19 years, but it’s also only the sixth time a rookie quarterback has taken his team this far into the playoffs. Only five other rookie quarterbacks in NFL history have had the chance to play in a Conference Championship game.
Rookie quarterbacks who have been to the NFL Conference Championship:
- Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers, 2022
- Mark Sanchez, New York Jets, 2009
- Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens, 2008
- Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers, 2004
- Shaun King, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1999
Daniels and the Commanders will face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, January 26 at 3 p.m. ET for a chance to play in Super Bowl LIX. If they win the game, Daniels will become the first NFL rookie quarterback to ever start in a Super Bowl.
Jayden Daniels on the possibility of becoming the first rookie QB to start in Super Bowl:
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) January 22, 2025
“Man. I’m not even thinking that far. It would obviously be a blessing but I’m just focused on how can I be better day by day.” pic.twitter.com/G9FafRVCVz
The game will be broadcast on FOX, and you can also follow along with our live text coverage of the game, brought to you by yours truly, right here on AS USA.
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