NFL

NFL Rookie Quarterbacks Are Now 0-6 In Championship Game History

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Jayden Daniels had a chance to do something that no quarterback in NFL history had ever done on Sunday. No rookie pass thrower had ever led his team to a Super Bowl, and the Washington Commanders were looking to make the no. 2 pick in the 2024 Draft the first.

NFL Rookie QBs Are Now 0-6 In Championship Games

But the Philadelphia Eagles proved to be too much to handle in the NFC Championship game, and Daniels added his name to the list of first-year pass throwers who have come up just short of playing in the big game.

The Commanders were certainly the biggest surprise of the 2024 NFL season. After finishing with the second-worst mark in the league last year, first-year head coach Dan Quinn led his team to a 12-5 record and two road victories in the postseason in order to reach the NFC Championship.

Perhaps the biggest reason for Washington’s success was the performance of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The LSU product threw 25 touchdowns and over 3,500 yards, and showed his knack for winning by leading four game-winning drives during the regular season. It was a performance worthy of being named the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year.

And after two underdog victories in the opening rounds of the playoffs, Daniels reached a place that only five other first-year QBs ever had. Prior to 1999, it had never been done in the history of the NFL. But Buccaneers quarterback Shaun King became the first rookie to lead his team to the NFC Championship, but he and his team came up short against the Rams that year.

The same thing has happened four times since. Ben Roethlistberger, Joe Flacco, and Mark Sanchez all came up one game short of the Super Bowl between 2004 and 2009, and Brock Purdy was injured early in the 49ers’ loss in 2022.

Year Quarterback Team Opponent W/L
2000 Shaun King Buccaneers Rams L, 11-6
2005 Ben Roethlisberger Steelers Patriots L, 41-27
2009 Joe Flacco Ravens Steelers L, 23-14
2010 Mark Sanchez Jets Colts L, 30-17
2023 Brock Purdy 49ers Eagles L, 31-7

Now, with Daniels added to the list, rookie quarterbacks are now 0-6 in Championship Game history.

Daniels finished the regular season with the best completion percentage of any rookie in NFL history. He ranked 5th all-time in touchdown passes, and tied for the second-best touchdown percentage.