Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher believes Jayden Daniels is having a better rookie year than Ben Roethlisberger.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is having an historic rookie year. Some would even say the best ever. Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher is among that group.
On Thursday, Cowher admitted that he believes what Daniels has done as a rookie trumps what Roethlisberger did back in 2004.
“Yeah, I agree,” Cowher said on “The Rich Eisen Show.” “I think Jayden Daniels has had a lot more put on his plate than Ben did. Ben eased into it as the season went along. We gave him more and more as he became more comfortable with what he was doing.”
Roethlisberger’s and Daniels’ rookie seasons are quite similar. Last weekend, Daniels tied Roethlisberger’s rookie record for the most wins by a rookie quarterback in NFL history with 14.
However, Daniels has had to do so with arguably much less around him. Roethlisberger had the No. 1 scoring defense as a rookie. Daniels has the No. 18 ranked.
Rookie QBs to start a title game, and where their teams’ scoring defenses ranked:
Brock Purdy – 1st
Mark Sanchez – 3rd
Joe Flacco – 3rd
Ben Roethlisberger- 1st
Shaun King- 3rd
Jayden Daniels – 18th pic.twitter.com/vWT6Cy6O4P— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) January 19, 2025
Not only does Daniels have less around him to help him be successful, but he’s had better numbers than Roethlisberger did, too.
In 2004, Roethlisberger threw for 2,621 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on his way to having one of the best rookie seasons of all time.
Daniels, on the other hand, has thrown for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 891 yards and six touchdowns.
Roethlisberger and the Steelers eventually lost to the New England Patriots in the AFC title game, but Daniels and the Commanders are hoping history doesn’t repeat itself.
On Sunday, Washington will go on the road to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC title game.
If Daniels can lead his team to another upset and a Super Bowl appearance, he’ll break Roethlisberger’s rookie record and establish himself as having undoubtedly the best rookie season of all time, even if Cowher already thinks that’s the case.
