5 rookie QBs who made the Championship Game feat. Jayden Daniels

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels put on a masterclass for the Commanders against the Lions in the Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs and ensured Washington will play in the NFC Championship game. After upsetting the fourth-seeded Buccaneers on the road in the Wild Card round, the second-overall pick in last year's draft pulled off an even bigger victory over the top-seeded Detroit.

He finished with 299 yards passing, no turnovers, two touchdowns, a completion percentage of 71, and a 122.9 passer rating. It was the second consecutive knockout game where he threw multiple touchdowns and had more than 250 passing yards. Jayden Daniels also recorded more than 300 total yards in both matches, making him the rookie quarterback to do so.

Since Jayden Daniels is in his first year, he also has a 2-0 record in the postseason now and has yet to taste a defeat in the playoffs. He now joins an elite club of rookie quarterbacks who have led their teams to the conference championship game in their maiden season.

He will further distinguish himself from others if he pulls off another victory in the NFC Championship game. None of the players on the list have ever won and taken their team to the Super Bowl. If Jayden Daniels gets another win on the road, away to Philadelphia or Los Angeles depending on the other game's outcome, he will become the first rookie quarterback to play in the Super Bowl.

Here are all the other five quarterbacks whose feat the Commanders' star has just equaled.

Rookie QBs to reach Championship game other than Jayden Daniels

#1 - Shaun King, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1999

Shaun King was the first rookie to take his team to the NFC Championship game in 1999, after being picked in the second round in that year's draft. He replaced Trent Dilfer as the starter in the middle of the season after the latter suffered a season-ending injury. He rallied the team in the divisional round against Washington before losing to the St. Louis Rams in the conference title game.

He would be replaced by Brad Johnson by the end of the 2000 season and it was the latter who would quarterback the team to their first Super Bowl title a couple of years later. Shaun King was still on the team as he collected a championship ring.

#2 - Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers, 2004

Ben Roethlisberger burst onto the scene for the Steelers in 2004. He was the third quarterback taken in the first round after Eli Manning and Philip Rivers. Initially, he was the third choice behind Tommy Maddox and Charlie Batch. An injury to the latter elevated him to the backup spot, and he eventually took over in the middle of the season.

He would remain undefeated (13-0) in the regular season after taking over as the starter and took the Steelers to the playoffs, where they defeated the New York Jets in the Divisional Round. However, they fell to the Patriots in the AFC Championship game, despite having defeated them earlier in the season. He would go on to win two Super Bowls in his career as Pittsburgh's starting quarterback.

#3 - Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens, 2008

The Ravens drafted Joe Flacco in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Initially, he was third in the depth chart behind Kyle Boller and Troy Smith. However, their injury and illness allowed the rookie to take over as the starting quarterback to begin their season.

He took his team to the Wild Card round and Baltimore played away at Miami. He returned a mistake-free performance to defeat the Dolphins before dispatching the Titans in the Divisional round. He became the first rookie quarterback to win both his opening playoff appearances but lost to the Steelers in the AFC Championship game. That was the start of a long, ongoing career, which would net him a Super Bowl championship as the starter on the Ravens team for the 2012 season.

#4 - Mark Sanchez, New York Jets, 2009

Mark Sanchez followed up Joe Flacco by emulating his achievement as a rookie quarterback with the New York Jets. He was selected fifth overall and won the starting spot over Kellen Clemens after training camp.

He had an uneven debut season but still managed to lead the team into the playoffs. The Jets defeated the Cincinnati Bengals before defeating the heavily favored San Diego Chargers in the Divisional Round. He nearly pulled off the trick in the AFC Championship game as well, taking his team to an 11-point lead before the Indianapolis Colts came back to defeat them. He would reach another championship game the next year but he never won the Super Bowl.

#5 - Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers, 2022

Brock Purdy is the most recent rookie quarterback to take his team into a conference championship game. He took over as the San Francisco 49ers starter after being selected as Mr. Irrelevant with the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. Initially, he was the third choice behind Troy Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo but injuries to both during the season allowed him to take over.

He was assured during the final games of the regular season and carried his form over into the playoffs. He led the team to a Wild Card victory over the Seattle Seahawks before dispatching the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round. His NFC Championship appearance was cut short due to an elbow injury and the Philadelphia Eagles won to reach the Super Bowl. He has since established himself as the first-choice starter for the 49ers.

Jayden Daniels is now the sixth quarterback to achieve this honor and will try to become the first rookie to win a championship game.