Jayden Daniels, the Washington Commanders’ rookie quarterback, took the NFL by storm in 2024, delivering one of the most remarkable debut seasons in league history while wearing his now-iconic No. 5 jersey. Selected second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft after a Heisman-winning campaign at LSU, Daniels didn’t just meet expectations—he shattered them, leading the Commanders to heights they hadn’t seen in decades and earning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award along the way.
Daniels’ journey to becoming Washington’s franchise quarterback started with a nod to his inspirations. He chose No. 5 as a tribute to NFL legends Donovan McNabb and Reggie Bush, two players he admired growing up for their dynamic playmaking. In a deal with longtime Commanders punter Tress Way, who had worn the number since 2014, Daniels secured the jersey, marking the start of a new era for a team that had cycled through 35 starting quarterbacks since their last Super Bowl win in 1991.
From the moment he was named the starter by head coach Dan Quinn on August 19, 2024, Daniels proved he was ready for the spotlight. His NFL debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers saw him score two touchdowns, though the Commanders fell short. The following week, he notched his first win against the New York Giants, showing off the dual-threat ability that made him a star at LSU. Over the season, Daniels set Commanders rookie records for passing yards (3,568) and total yards, while also breaking NFL rookie quarterback records for rushing yards (891), points per game (28.5), and completion percentage (69%). His 25 passing touchdowns and 6 rushing scores made him just the fifth rookie in NFL history to record 30-plus total touchdowns, joining elite company like Justin Herbert and Cam Newton.
What made Daniels’ season even more special was his clutch play. He threw 12 touchdown passes in the fourth quarter or overtime, a rookie record, with five coming in the final 30 seconds or overtime—the most by any player since 1970. A highlight came on September 23, 2024, against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football, where he completed 91.3% of his passes (21-of-23) for 293 total yards and 3 touchdowns, setting an NFL rookie record for completion percentage in a game. That performance earned him Offensive Rookie of the Month honors, with an 82.1% completion rate over a four-game span—the highest in NFL history for any player over that stretch.
Daniels’ impact went beyond stats. He led the Commanders to a 12-5 regular season record, their best since 1991, and a playoff berth as the sixth seed. Washington hadn’t won a postseason game since 2005, but Daniels changed that, guiding them to victories over the Buccaneers and Detroit Lions before falling to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game on January 26, 2025—their first conference title game appearance in 33 years. With 14 total wins, including playoffs, Daniels tied Ben Roethlisberger for the most by a rookie quarterback in a season, while also setting rookie playoff records for passing yards, passing touchdowns, and rushing yards.
Off the field, Daniels became a fan favorite, his No. 5 jersey soaring to the top-selling spot across all sports since the start of 2025, per The Washington Post. Commanders merchandise sales surged 4,129% since clinching a playoff spot, and Daniels’ leadership—arriving at the facility at 5 AM to study film and building chemistry with veterans like Terry McLaurin and Zach Ertz—earned him a spot on the team’s leadership committee as a rookie. His humility and work ethic drew comparisons to Andrew Luck from Ertz, while defensive coordinator Vic Fangio called him the best rookie quarterback ever.
Daniels’ season wasn’t without challenges. He battled a rib injury early on and faced a leaky offensive line, taking a sack percentage of 10.4% or higher in three of his last four regular-season games. But his ability to execute Kliff Kingsbury’s offense—often running no-huddle plays, with Washington leading the league at 677 such snaps—kept the Commanders rolling. His 891 rushing yards broke Robert Griffin III’s rookie quarterback record, a fitting milestone for a player wearing the same jersey number RG3 once did in Washington.
For Commanders fans, Daniels’ rookie year was a breath of fresh air after years of quarterback struggles. He brought hope, excitement, and a trip to the NFC Championship Game, all while wearing No. 5 with pride. As Daniels now prepares for his second season, the bar is sky-high—but if his rookie campaign is any indication, this dual-threat star is just getting started.
