Ad Disclosure
Jayden Daniels can’t turn on the TV right now without hearing someone new singing his praises.
It’s all warranted, of course. With a win over Detroit last weekend, Daniels is set to become just the sixth rookie in NFL history to start a conference championship game. If he leads the Washington Commanders to a win over the Philadelphia Eagles, he’ll become the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to start the Super Bowl.
Daniels broke the NFL’s rookie quarterback records for completion percentage and rushing yards this season. He walked into an organization that hadn’t won 10 games since 2012 and, with a first-year head coach, led Washington to 12 wins.
During his show on Thursday, Colin Cowherd said Daniels will be the top quarterback in the NFC as early as next season.
“I really believe that Jayden Daniels is the (Patrick) Mahomes of the NFC, that the pecking order will start with him starting next year. I really believe that,” Cowherd said. “I don’t think it’s a reach. I don’t think it’s hyperbolic. I think he’s the Mahomes, that from this point forward people will slot behind of.”
On Wednesday, Tom Brady praised Daniels’ confidence right from the rip on Cowherd’s show. The hosts of ESPN’s Get Up said Thursday morning that Daniels is having one of the greatest rookie seasons of any player in NFL history. All throughout punditry, analysts have been enamored with what Daniels has been able to accomplish in his first year in the league.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anything like this this early,” Cowherd said. “The fact that a rookie with an average o-line — that is now missing their best offensive lineman against Philly this weekend — and 1 weapon, Terry McLaurin, was the best fourth-down team in football.”
Daniels threw for 3,568 yards, ran for 891 yards, and scored 31 total touchdowns during the regular season. The former LSU star and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback will play for a spot in the Super Bowl on Sunday. Kickoff against the Eagles is set for 3 p.m. ET on FOX. The Commanders are a 6-point underdog in the game, via ESPN Bet.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
