There's no denying the Washington Commanders were one of the surprise packets of the 2024 season, and the big reason why was the play of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
The former LSU stud took the league by storm, en route to posting a 12-5 record and an NFC Championship game appearance. Oh, and he won Offensive Rookie of the Year, too.
So it is no wonder many are excited to see what Daniels can do in Year 2 with new weapons like Deebo Samuel, and five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil at left tackle.
But when looking at the other starting quarterbacks, CBS Sports seems to think rather highly of Jayden, putting him at No. 1 on their quarterback rankings list.
"Recency bias? Sure," CBS Sports writes. "But you'd be hard-pressed to find an NFL team that wouldn't hurry to claim him as its quarterback of the present and future, contenders included. He was simply unflappable for much of his dynamic debut, which ended on the doorstep of the Super Bowl. A second-year dip is possible, but who says Daniels won't keep climbing with some added veteran help in D.C.?"
First? Yes, you read that right.
Above Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, and Patrick Mahomes.
Even the most convinced Commanders fan might have trouble putting Daniels atop the pile, at least right now.
But that is where CBS Sports has him, and may expect a better second season from Jayden, which, if we are being truthful, will be a hard act to follow.
However, if he does, and manages to get the Commanders back to the NFC title game, or even further, then when we revisit this list at season's end, maybe No. 1 might not seem so shocking.
But for right now, let the cake bake on Jayden being the best quarterback in football.
