Jayden Daniels can join Tom Brady, Eli Manning in exclusive quarterback club

Speaking to reporters ahead of the NFC Championship game, Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn had big praise for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

“He’s got rare, in the moment skills that have allowed us to be into this spot,“ Quinn said. ”When it’s mental chaos going down and two-minutes, in these tight moments where it could feel that tight, he’s got the experience of somebody that’s played a lot more football than a first year player."

Daniels' calmness, reading of the game, and ability to make plays has exceeded all expectations this year. The 24-year-old has recorded a stellar, historic rookie season in the NFL but there’s still more that he can achieve.

His form has led the No. 6 seed Commanders past the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 2) and the Detroit Lions (No. 1). Washington travel to the Philadelphia Eagles, looking for a third straight road win in the postseason. With a win at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Daniels could join a select club of quarterbacks.

The only QBs to record three road wins in a single postseason are Tom Brady (2020 Buccaneers), Aaron Rodgers (2010 Packers), Eli Manning (2007 Giants), Ben Roethlisberger (2005 Steelers) and Tony Eason (1985 Patriots).

Washington’s last Super Bowl appearance

Regardless of how they get on in Philadelphia, the Commanders have enjoyed a historic season. They are one game away from the Super Bowl, a stage that they have not reached since 1992.

It’s 33 years since Washington clinched Super Bowl XXVI with a victory over the Buffalo Bills, one of the Bills' four consecutive Super Bowl defeats. The game finished 37-24, winning Washington the most recent of their three Super Bowl triumphs.

Quinn has been in the NFL since joining the San Francisco 49ers as defensive quality control coach in 2001. After more than two decades in the league he was named Commanders head coach in February 2024, taking over a team that had won just four games in the previous season.

What he’s achieved in his first year in Washington has been incredible and he has paid tribute to a ‘unique’ team at his disposal.

Quinn said: “It’s a rare combination for a team to have that because they are intense and they’re tough, in the same way they really enjoy doing what they’re doing together. I don’t think I’ve coached a team that had that type of balance and connection together. So, it’s really cool to see."