The Washington Commanders may have struck gold with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who already looks like an MVP candidate.
No rookie has won MVP since Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown in 1957. During his rookie season in 2023, Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud entered the conversation, finishing eighth in MVP voting. One year later, Daniels is generating MVP buzz.
“For a second straight season, a rookie is making his case to be in the MVP mix,” wrote Yahoo Sports’ Frank Schwab on Monday. “It’s very early in the season, but Daniels is checking every box you’d want for the award. The Washington Commanders (4-1) are atop the NFC East due to a surprisingly efficient offense led by their electric rookie quarterback.”
Through five games, the 23-year-old leads the league in completion percentage (77.1%) and has posted the third-best QBR (73.2).
On Monday, CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles reported that Washington is 4-1 for the first time since 2008. Pereles added the Commanders have consecutive 20-point wins for the first time since 1997 after they crushed the Cleveland Browns 34-13 in Week 5. Thus, Daniels’ MVP odds are soaring.
As of Monday, FanDuel gives Daniels the fifth-best odds (+1100) to win the award, behind Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen, Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, Stroud and Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. Unsurprisingly, the sportsbook lists him as an Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite (-250).
To win MVP, Daniels may have to help the Commanders secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Since the NFL playoffs switched to 14 teams in 2020, the last three MVPs (Aaron Rodgers, Mahomes and Jackson) were on teams that clinched the top spot in their respective conferences.
Despite the impressive start, Washington earning the No. 1 seed still seems unlikely. ESPN Football Power Index projects the Commanders will finish with the third-best record in the NFC behind the Detroit Lions (3-1) and Minnesota Vikings (5-0).
Whether he wins the award or not, Washington should feel ecstatic about Daniels’ trajectory.
Last season, 2023 No. 2 overall pick Stroud transformed Houston, guiding it to its first playoff trip since 2019. Daniels — the second overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft — may have a similar impact in Washington.
