Jayden Daniels is set to attempt something no other rookie quarterback has achieved: winning a conference championship game.
The Washington Commanders’ quarterback will be the sixth rookie QB to start a conference championship. The previous five all went winless, combining for four passing touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio doesn’t see Daniels as a rookie.
“He’s a young quarterback on paper, but not on film,” Fangio said Tuesday, via the team’s official transcript. “The guy is playing extremely well. You can see how much confidence they have in him by the volume of their offense and the things they trust him to do. He’s come through for them in a big way, and he’s hard to defend.”
The 24-year-old entered the NFL with 55 collegiate starts, providing him with plenty of experience to rely on. Since joining the league, he’s shown remarkable poise, played smart with the ball, and knows when to release it quickly or take deeper shots.
Fangio was asked if Daniels could be considered the best rookie QB of all time.
“Yeah, probably,” he responded.
1st QB to lead a team in rushing yards during the regular season and make the playoffs 1st to throw 2+ pass TDs in a road playoff win (Buccaneers) 1st to lead team in both pass and rush yards in a playoff win (Buccaneers) 1st to beat No. 1 scoring offense in the playoffs (Lions) 1st to beat multiple top-five scoring offenses in playoffs (Buccaneers, Lions) 1st to defeat multiple No. 1 overall drafted QBs in playoffs (Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff) 1st to have 300+ offensive yards in multiple playoff games 1st to post a 100+ passer rating in multiple playoff games 1st to win multiple playoff games without a top-three scoring defense Highest passer rating in road games, including playoffs (110.1) Most offensive yards in rookie season, including playoffs (5,113 yds)
What makes Daniels’ run even more impressive is that the previous five rookie quarterbacks to reach a conference championship game all had top-3 scoring defenses to support them. Daniels is succeeding with the 18th-ranked scoring defense. Brock Purdy (2022), Mark Sanchez (2009), and Ben Roethlisberger (2004) all had the No. 1 scoring defense. Joe Flacco (2008) and Shaun King (1999) had the No. 3 scoring defense.
Fangio emphasized the challenge of facing Daniels, noting that regardless of the defensive approach, he has an answer. If defenses rush too aggressively, he can hurt them with his legs; if too passive, he’ll dissect them with his arm.
“Yeah, it’s a delicate balance,” the DC said. “If you rush too softly, he’ll have all day. So we need to do a good job rushing with four or five and ensure we don’t give him extra time.”
Regardless of how the game turns out, one thing is clear: The moment will not overwhelm Daniels. He’s a rookie in name only.
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