Texans' Stroud: Jayden Daniels has had 'best rookie year of all time'

C.J. Stroud put on an absolute show as a rookie in 2023, but the Houston Texans quarterback believes what Washington Commanders passer Jayden Daniels has done this year is even more impressive.

"In my opinion, he's had the best rookie year of all time," Stroud said Monday, according to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports.

He added: "Very happy for him and proud of him. I don't root for many other teams, but I'm rooting for my boy. I'm rooting for the Commanders."

Stroud took the NFL by storm last season and set multiple records, including the most passing yards in a single game by a rookie (470). The Ohio State product also joined Tom Brady and Joe Montana as the only players ever to lead the league in passing yards per contest (273.9) and touchdown/interception ratio (4.6) in the same season.

Not only did Stroud run away with the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, but he also helped the Texans reach the divisional round just a year after they won three games. Houston returned to the playoffs this season but fell short against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday.

Daniels is also the face of a remarkable turnaround, as the Commanders are one game away from playing in the Super Bowl one season after finishing with a 4-13 record. His 2024 campaign included a 69% completion rate, as well as 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns against just nine interceptions. He also rushed for six TDs and 891 yards, a rookie record for a QB.

Daniels has been just as impressive in the playoffs, having accounted for four touchdowns against no interceptions while completing almost 70% of his passes to help Washington earn upset victories over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and, most recently, the 1-seed Detroit Lions.

"That boy is going crazy," Stroud added of Daniels. "Not only just from him, but the motivation he's giving to (those) back home where we come from, you have no idea. He's giving kids back home hope that they can do it, too."

Both Stroud and Daniels entered the NFL as second overall picks after growing up in the San Bernardino area of Southern California, notes Sports Illustrated's Karl Rasmussen.

The Commanders play the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in the NFC title game. With a win, Daniels would become the first rookie quarterback ever to start in a Super Bowl.