Jayden Daniels wins ROTW Week 1 for the first time in his NFL career. The Washington Commanders fell 37-20 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 8, 2024, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, but the rookie quarterback’s dual-threat performance in his professional debut earned him recognition. Daniels scored two rushing touchdowns and threw for 184 yards without an interception, showcasing the versatility that made him the second overall pick.
Why Jayden Daniels Wins ROTW Week 1
Daniels’ debut performance demonstrated exactly why he deserved to win his first rookie honor. The LSU product completed 17 of 24 passes for 184 yards with a 70.8% completion rate and zero interceptions.
He showed remarkable poise for a first-time starter. On the ground, Daniels carried the ball 16 times for 88 yards and two touchdowns, with both scores coming on 1-yard runs in the second half. His 77 scramble yards out of 88 total rushing yards highlighted his ability to extend plays when the pocket collapsed. That earned him the highest Pro Football Focus grade among first-round rookie quarterbacks despite the team’s loss. It’s also the most rushing yards a rookie quarterback has had in their debut.
ESPN game highlights and box score
Daniels Edged Out Fellow First-Round QBs
While specific voting details weren’t released, Jayden Daniels wins ROTW Week 1 over a competitive field that included fellow first-round quarterbacks Caleb Williams from Chicago and Drake Maye from New England.
Up Next
The Washington Commanders face the New York Giants at home in Week 2, where the defense will look to contain Daniels’ rushing ability that proved so effective against Tampa Bay. With his mobility already establishing him as a game-changing factor and his passing accuracy evident from his debut, Daniels has positioned himself well to potentially make it back-to-back weeks where Jayden Daniels wins ROTW Week 2.