Mike Greenberg praises Jayden Daniels' rookie season as greatest NFL has ever seen

On Saturday, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led the Commanders to a 45-31 win over the Detroit Lions, boosting the organization to its first NFC Championship appearance since 1991. During Sunday’s episode of NFL Countdown, ESPN’s Mike Greenberg made a bold claim about Daniels.

“As far as Jayden Daniels is concerned, and that really should be the storyline here, we can forget about the conversation about greatest rookie seasons for a QB ever. If you appreciate the history of the sport – the greatest rookie seasons the league has ever seen are people like Jim Brown, Gale Sayers, Mike Ditka – I think Jayden Daniels goes to No. 1,” Greenberg said. “I think with this win, Jayden Daniels is the greatest rookie the NFL has ever had, and he’s one win away now from the Super Bowl.”

In the win, Daniels was spectacular, completing 22-of-his-31 pass attempts for 299 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception. Daniels also recorded 51 rushing yards in the victory.

It’s only the latest standout showing for Daniels, who racked up 268 passing yards and two scores in the Commanders’ win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Wildcard Round of the NFL Playoffs.

While it’s easy to assert Daniels as the best rookie in the NFL this season, Greenberg is taking a leap by crowning him against every rookie to ever grace the league. Immediately, standout campaigns like Ben Rothelisberger‘s in 2004 or CJ Stroud‘s last season come to mind.

Nonetheless, Daniels’ statistics are comparable, if not better, than both of those revered examples. Moreover, fans will be hard-pressed to find a rookie who’s turned an organization around like Daniels has.

Just last season, the Commanders finished with a 4-13 record and had an entirely different front office and coaching staff. This season was supposed to be a building block for the Commanders. Instead, it has transformed into a crowning achievement.

After the Commanders’ win over the No. 1 seed Lions on Saturday, Washington head coach Dan Quinn raved about his rookie QB.

“He just has a different poise about him than most and he’s a rare competitor,” Quinn said. “There’s no doubt about that. But in those moments — if he was a basketball player, he’d want the last shot. As a ballplayer, he wants the ball in his hands to make the difference and he makes great decisions with the football. That takes real mindfulness.”

Jayden Daniels will have a chance to build on his legendary rookie season next Sunday when the Commanders compete in the NFC Championship. The Commanders will face the winner between the Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles.