There’s a lot of excitement surrounding Jayden Daniels' brilliant start with the Washington Commanders, positioning him as a potential MVP contender as a rookie, something that hasn’t happened in the NFL since Jim Brown achieved it back in 1957.

The main drawback is that Daniels is a rookie, but recent history favors him. Quarterbacks who secure a “bye week” spot in the playoffs often end up as finalists for the MVP award. This trend has held every year since Vikings running back Adrian Peterson won the MVP after his late-season push.

So, if the Commanders end up as the No. 1 seed in the NFC, quarterback Jayden Daniels has a strong chance of joining this elite group.

Which other quarterbacks are in the MVP conversation?

We can't overlook Kirk Cousins from the Atlanta Falcons, and naturally, Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings is in the mix, along with Patrick Mahomes from the Kansas City Chiefs, Lamar Jackson from the Baltimore Ravens, C.J. Stroud from the Houston Texans, and Josh Allen from the Buffalo Bills—a star-studded group for the rookie QB to be compared with.

Superstar stats

Daniels, the second overall pick of the 2024 Draft, has picked up right where he left off after winning the Heisman Trophy at LSU. Through just four games, he’s posted an impressive 82.1% completion rate, a rookie record and the best in the league this season. Entering Sunday’s game against Cleveland, Daniels had 897 passing yards, averaging 8.5 yards per attempt, with an outstanding passer rating of 107.4. He’s also added 218 rushing yards and accounted for seven total touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat abilities.

In Week 5, Daniels faced the Browns' defense and dominated so thoroughly that he was able to rest by the final quarter of a 34-13 blowout. Despite an early red-zone interception, Daniels bounced back to complete 14 of 25 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown, averaging 8.5 yards per attempt. He also led the Commanders on the ground with 82 rushing yards on 11 carries, including a thrilling 34-yard run on a crucial fourth down, before being replaced by Marcus Mariota.