Once upon a time in the NFL, it was rare for a rookie quarterback to be thrown in the deep and installed as their team’s starter from day one.
The evolution of the league, the college game and the salary cap mean that a first-year signal-caller is a much more common sight in the NFL, with Jayden Daniels becoming the latest rookie QB to impress.
Should the former LSU standout lead his Washington Commanders side past the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday’s NFC Championship game, Daniels will become the first rookie quarterback to start a Super Bowl and would cap a sensational first year in the NFL for the 24-year-old.
But even before this weekend’s clash, Daniels’ rookie campaign will be celebrated as one of the greatest ever - but where does it rank in terms of the best in NFL history? DAZN News takes a closer look…
10. Russell Wilson - Seattle Seahawks, 2012
Third-round pick Wilson began training camp behind Matt Flynn in Seattle but turned heads and won the starter job in time for Week 1. Wilson led Pete Carroll’s side to an 11-win season, throwing for more than 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns.
9. Ben Roethlisberger - Pittsburgh Steelers, 2004
The 2004 number seven overall draft pick was called into action in Week 2 after starter Tommy Maddox went down and would pull off 13 staight wins before the Steelers fell to Tom Brady’s New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game. Roethlisberger was able to lean on a strong running game, but 8.9 yards per pass attempt and a 66% completion rate were both top five marks in the NFL as he set the foundation for a career that spanned for almost two decades.
8. Dak Prescott - Dallas Cowboys, 2016
An injury to Tony Romo opened the door for fourth-round selection Prescott in 2016 and the rookie took full advantage, leading the Cowboys to the top seed in the NFC with 23 touchdowns and just four interceptions.
7. Andrew Luck - Indianapolis Colts, 2012
Viewed as a can’t-miss prospect coming out of college, Luck put up big numbers from day one, with his rookie record of 4,374 yards still standing. He would throw 23 touchdowns but also put up 18 interceptions, costing him a higher spot on this list.
6. C.J. Stroud - Houston Texans, 2023
Rookie Texans QB Stroud looked like he had been in the NFL for a decade when he led the Texans to the AFC Divisional Round 12 months ago. The number two overall pick threw for more than 4,000 yards, with 23 touchdown passes and just five interceptions.
5. Cam Newton - Carolina Panthers, 2011
The flamboyant Newton announced his arrival to the NFL in style, throwing for more than 400 yards in each of his first two starts with the Panthers. A 4,000-yard season followed, as did a then-record 700 yards on the ground, while his 14 rushing touchdowns remained a quarterback record until Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts both managed 15 last year.
4. Justin Herbert - LA Chargers, 2020
Herbert’s rookie campaign with the Chargers saw him throw for a record 31 touchdown passes and fall just 38 yards short of Andrew Luck’s rookie passing record, having played a game fewer than the Colts man. If the 2020 Chargers didn’t have a habit of losing close games - seven of Herbert’s first eight starts were lost by a single score - the rookie could have had the opportunity do some damage in the playoffs.
3. Robert Grifin III - Washington Redskins, 2012
Given how quickly RGIII’s career fizzled out, it’s easy to forget just how devastating his rookie campaign was. An efficient 65.6% pass completion rate was complimented by 20 touchdown passes and just five interceptions, while on the ground, he would rush for 815 yards and seven scores.
2. Dan Marino - Miami Dolphins, 1983
The 1983 NFL Draft was one of the greatest QB drafts of all time, with Marino the sixth off the board. Despite only winning the starting job in Week 6, Marino threw for 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions on his way to a Pro Bowl call-up as he turned what had been a moribund Dolphins offence into one of the league’s most explosive units.
1. Jayden Daniels - Washington Commanders, 2024
Recency bias? Well, as Daniels eyes a first-ever Super Bowl appearance for a rookie QB, the number two overall pick has the numbers, the wins and also passes the eye test.
In the air, he threw for more than 3,500 passing yards, with 25 touchdowns and a 100.1 passer rating, while on the ground he broke RGIII's rookie QB rushing record with 891 yards. Throw in four game-winning drives, his ability to raise his game when the chips are down, plus the fact he has Washington in their first Championship game since George Bush Sr was in the White House and you have the best rookie QB season in NFL history.
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