Rookie QB Jayden Daniels Leads Commanders to Surprise NFC Title Game

As the 2025 NFL season approaches, the league is welcoming a new crop of head coaches, each facing unique challenges and opportunities. While some teams have landed in favorable situations, others are tasked with rebuilding from the ground up.

One of the most surprising stories from last season was the Washington Commanders' run to the NFC title game, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Defying expectations, Daniels put together what may have been the greatest rookie campaign in NFL history, propelling the Commanders to an unexpected postseason berth under new coach Dan Quinn.

In contrast, the Dallas Cowboys are hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 7-10 season in 2024. Despite inheriting a roster laden with high-end talent, including quarterback Dak Prescott and linebacker Micah Parsons, new coach Brian Schottenheimer faces the ongoing challenges of injuries and contract disputes that have plagued the Cowboys in recent years.

Across the league, the article analyzes the foundations each new coach is building upon, using a regression model to estimate their expected wins over the next five seasons. While some, like the Bears' Ben Johnson and the Jaguars' Liam Coen, have promising young quarterbacks and supporting casts, others, such as the Saints' Kellen Moore, are tasked with full-scale rebuilds following key player retirements.

As the 2025 season kicks off, the NFL landscape is set to undergo a significant transformation, with these new coaches aiming to reshape the fortunes of their respective franchises.