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Commanders' Jayden Daniels Confirmed As Most Popular NFL Player

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Richie Whitt | Last updated Jan 30, 2025 3:16 PM ET

Jayden Daniels hasn't yet led the Washington Commanders to the Super Bowl. But, according to NFL jersey sales, he's already super popular.

According to the sports apparel company Fanatics, Daniels' No. 5 jersey is not only the best-seller since the start of the NFL season last September but it's also No. 1 across all sports. That's right, the rookie quarterback sold more jerseys over the last half-year than NBA star Steph Curry, Los Angeles Dodgers' dual-threat Shohei Ohtani and NFL two-time defending Super Bowl champion quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Sparked by Daniels, sales for Commanders’ merchandise skyrocketed 463 percent from 2023 when the team went 4-13. Washington's sales increased an astronomical 4,129 percent once the team made the playoffs in December. For most of the past decade - void of stars and mired in a 33-year drought without making the NFC Championship Game - the club failed to finish among the league's Top 10 in sales.

Daniels changed everything, from the team's record to record merchandise revenue.

The likely Offensive Rookie of the Year led Washington to a 12-5 record, two road playoff wins and its first conference title game appearance since 1992.

He’s one of only three rookies ever to pass for over 3,000 yards and rush for 600 in a single season, became the first rookie to record five straight games with over 80-percent completions, and set the rookie record with 12 touchdown passes in the fourth quarter/overtime.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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