By Tiffany Williams –
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has been named the 2024 Pepsi® Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year, an honor announced Thursday by Pepsi and the NFL.
Daniels, who was selected as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, made history this season with an array of remarkable statistics. He achieved the highest completion percentage for a qualified rookie quarterback in league history, finishing with an impressive 69.0%. Additionally, Daniels set a new record for the most rushing yards by a rookie quarterback, amassing a staggering 891 yards, and boasted the fourth-highest passer rating ever recorded by a rookie at 100.1. He also led all qualified rookie quarterbacks in several key categories, including passer rating, completion percentage, rushing touchdowns (six), and ranked second in both passing yards (3,568) and touchdown passes (25).
“I want to thank my family and friends for their love and support,” said Daniels. “I also want to thank my coaches and teammates. I would not be able to accept this award without you. I am honored and blessed to be named the 2024 Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Year. Thank you to all the fans who took the time to vote for me all season, it is truly a privilege to play for you and I can’t wait to see everyone again in 2025!”
Throughout the regular season and playoffs, Daniels started and won 14 games, a historic accomplishment that ties him with Ben Roethlisberger, who also won 14 games as a rookie quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2004. This milestone makes Daniels one of only four rookie quarterbacks to start and win multiple playoff games in NFL history, joining the ranks of Joe Flacco (2008 with Baltimore), Brock Purdy (2022 with San Francisco), and Mark Sanchez (2009 with the New York Jets). Over the course of the season, he totaled 37 combined passing and rushing touchdowns and logged 5,416 combined passing and rushing yards (including playoffs), both setting new records for a rookie quarterback in NFL history.
Daniels was one of six standout finalists nominated for this distinguished award. The other notable finalists included Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving, Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers, Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, and Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. Each finalist was recognized for their exceptional performances throughout the season, reflecting a competitive and impactful rookie class.
The selection process for the finalists involved weekly nominations for the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Week, where fans voted for their favorite standout player on NFL.com, contributing to the determination of the final nominees.
This marks the 24th year that Pepsi has served as the Official Soft Drink of the NFL and the 23rd year that they have presented the NFL Rookie of the Week and NFL Rookie of the Year awards, underscoring their longstanding commitment to celebrating young talent in the league.
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