The Washington Commanders were the toast of the NFL last season, going 12-5 before pulling off two upset playoff victories to qualify for the NFC Championship game.
They were led by the sensational play of rookie superstar Jayden Daniels. His performance in his first season wasn't just enough to earn near-unanimous NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. It was a historic instant success for both player and team — the likes of which the league hadn't seen in a long time.
Perhaps the only recent example that compares was in 2021, when Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals went from 4-11-1 to reaching the Super Bowl.