Jayden Daniels has enjoyed a rookie year for the ages. Commanders fans are more than grateful for it.
Washington’s signal-caller came into the 2024 NFL season with plenty of question marks. His mobility, accuracy and ability to lead an offense looked legit. But his wiry frame and perceived struggles with deeper passes caused some concern, even among the masses of Commanders fans who celebrated his selection with the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft.
Daniels was immediately thrust into a starting role with his new employers. Within weeks, he proved he was capable of producing at the top-flight level of football. Soon, he did more than that, establishing himself as arguably the NFC’s best passer over the course of the regular season and playoffs. Oh, and he tallied nearly 900 rushing yards, too.
The first-year QB authored up one of the greatest maiden seasons in NFL history. With Super Bowl 59 on the horizon, Daniels has a different target now — becoming the first rookie QB to start in the big game. Washington has quite a hill to climb to punch a ticket to Super Bowl 59. But if it does, Daniels would make history, one way or another.
With that, here’s what you need to know about Daniels’ age, including how it compares to other QBs who have started on football’s biggest stage.
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How old is Jayden Daniels?
Daniels is 24 years old, having been born on Dec. 18, 2000.
If Daniels were to take the field on Super Bowl Sunday, he would be the first rookie and the fourth-youngest signal-caller to start in the contest.
Dan Marino is the all-time youngest hurler to take part in the festivities, starting the Dolphins’ Super Bowl 19 clash with San Francisco at the tender age of 23 years, 127 days. Ben Roethlisberger (23 years, 340 days for Super Bowl 40) and Brock Purdy (24 years, 46 days for Super Bowl 58) were also younger than Daniels would be if the Commanders secured advancement to the Super Bowl. Marino and Purdy dropped their matchups, but Roethlisberger won his.
Youngest NFL players in 2025
The youngest players in the NFL this season all emerged from the 2024 draft class, though Daniels is not among them. Here’s a look at the 10 youngest players in the league based on their ages going into Week 1 of the 2024 season below.
| Player | Age (Birthday) | Position | Team |
| Braelon Allen | 20 (Jan. 20, 2004) | RB | Jets |
| Audric Estime | 21 (Sept. 6, 2003) | RB | Broncos |
| Nate Wiggins | 21 (Aug. 28, 2003) | CB | Ravens |
| Cam Little | 21 (Aug. 17, 2003) | K | Jaguars |
| Malik Nabers | 21 (July 28, 2003) | WR | Giants |
| Trey Benson | 21 (July 21, 2003) | RB | Cardinals |
| Jonathon Brooks | 21 (July 21, 2003) | RB | Panthers |
| Michael Hall Jr. | 21 (June 13, 2003) | DT | Browns |
| Jotham Russell | 21 (June 8, 2003) | DE | Patriots |
| Keon Coleman | 21 (May 17, 2003) | WR | Bills |
| Calen Bullock | 21 (Apr. 30, 2003) | S | Texans |
| Xavier Worthy | 21 (Apr. 27, 2003) | WR | Chiefs |
Youngest QBs to win a Super Bowl
The youngest quarterback to hoist the Lombardi Trophy was Roethlisberger. At 23, he led the Steelers past the Seahawks in Super Bowl 40 back in 2006.
If Daniels and the Commanders advance to the Super Bowl and down the AFC champion, he would become second-youngest quarterback and third 24-year old to capture football’s grandest prize. (Daniels, born on Dec. 18, 2000, will be 24 years and 53 days old when the Super Bowl kicks off on Feb. 9.)
You can find the 10 youngest starting QBs in Super Bowl history below.
| Rank | Player | Age | Team | Opponent | Year | Result |
| 1. | Dan Marino | 23 years, 127 days | Dolphins | 49ers | 1985 | L, 38-16 |
| 2. | Ben Roethlisberger | 23 years, 340 days | Steelers | Seahawks | 2006 | W, 21-10 |
| 3. | Brock Purdy | 24 years, 46 days | 49ers | Chiefs | 2024 | L, 25-22 |
| 4. | David Woodley | 24 years, 97 days | Dolphins | Redskins | 1983 | L, 27-17 |
| 5. | Jared Goff | 24 years, 112 days | Rams | Patriots | 2019 | L, 13-3 |
| 6. | Patrick Mahomes | 24 years, 138 days | Chiefs | 49ers | 2020 | W, 31-20 |
| 7. | Tom Brady | 24 years, 184 days | Patriots | Rams | 2001 | W, 20-17 |
| 8. | Jalen Hurts | 24 years, 189 days | Eagles | Chiefs | 2023 | L, 38-35 |
| 9. | Drew Bledsoe | 24 years, 347 days | Patriots | Packers | 1997 | L, 35-21 |
| T-10. | Joe Burrow | 25 years, 65 days | Bengals | Rams | 2022 | L, 23-20 |
| Russell Wilson | 25 years, 65 days | Seahawks | Broncos | 2014 | W, 43-8 |
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