How has Jalen Hurts already played 5 years and gone to 2 Super Bowls, while Jayden Daniels just finished his rookie season?

In the ever-evolving landscape of the NFL, the paths that players take to reach professional stardom can vary greatly. Two standout quarterbacks, Jalen Hurts and Jayden Daniels, exemplify this phenomenon.

Despite being just two years apart in age, Hurts has already played five seasons in the NFL and appeared in two Super Bowls, while Daniels just completed his rookie season in 2024.

How is this possible? The answer lies in a combination of factors, including:

• The Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era, which allowed Daniels to make millions in college
• The COVID-19 pandemic, which granted him an extra year of eligibility
• Different college career lengths (Hurts played four years, while Daniels played five)
• Age at college entry (Hurts was 18 as a freshman, while Daniels was 19)

By examining their unique paths, we can better understand how Hurts has built such an impressive NFL résumé while Daniels is just getting started.

Jalen Hurts: A Fast-Tracked NFL Career

Early College Career at Alabama

Jalen Hurts began his college football career at Alabama in 2016 as an 18-year-old freshman. He wasted no time making an impact, winning the starting quarterback job and leading Alabama to the National Championship Game in his first year.

Over the next two seasons, Hurts continued to excel. However, after being benched in favor of Tua Tagovailoa during the 2018 National Championship Game, he found himself in a backup role in 2018.

Despite this, he remained a team player and famously came off the bench to lead Alabama to a win in the 2018 SEC Championship Game.

Transfer to Oklahoma

For his senior season in 2019, Hurts transferred to Oklahoma to play under Lincoln Riley, a coach known for developing elite quarterbacks.

The move paid off, as Hurts dominated in his final college season, passing for 3,851 yards and 32 touchdowns while adding 1,298 rushing yards and 20 more TDs. He finished as a Heisman Trophy finalist, further boosting his NFL draft stock.

NFL Draft and Professional Career

Hurts entered the 2020 NFL Draft and was selected 53rd overall (2nd round) by the Philadelphia Eagles. Though he began his rookie season as a backup to Carson Wentz, he took over the starting job by the end of the year.

By his second season, Hurts had firmly established himself as the Eagles’ franchise quarterback, leading the team to a Super Bowl appearance in the 2022 season.

As of 2025, he has already:

• Played five NFL seasons
• Appeared in two Super Bowls (winning one)
• Signed a record-breaking contract extension
• Cemented himself as one of the league’s top quarterbacks

His early entry into the NFL and rapid rise have given him a commanding lead over Daniels in terms of professional experience.

Jayden Daniels: A Slower but Steady Rise

Longer College Career and COVID-19 Impact

Jayden Daniels started his college career at Arizona State in 2019—three years after Hurts. Unlike Hurts, Daniels was 19 years old as a freshman, meaning he was already older when his college journey began.

His development was also delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a shortened 2020 season and granted players an extra year of eligibility.

Rather than rushing to the NFL, Daniels took advantage of the extended eligibility and played a total of five college seasons—one more than Hurts.

Transfer to LSU and Breakout Season

After three seasons at Arizona State, Daniels transferred to LSU in 2022. His first year was solid, but it wasn’t until his fifth and final season (2023) that he truly exploded onto the national scene.

That year, Daniels put up video game-like numbers:

• 3,812 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns
• 1,134 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns
• Heisman Trophy winner

His record-breaking season propelled him up NFL draft boards, ultimately leading to him being selected 2nd overall in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders.

Rookie Success in the NFL

Despite entering the NFL later than Hurts, Daniels made an immediate impact in his rookie season. He led the Commanders to their first playoff victory in nearly 20 years and was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Though he has a long way to go to match Hurts’ Super Bowl success, Daniels’ career is off to a promising start.

Why Their Careers Took Different Paths

1. Age at College Entry

• Hurts was 18 as a freshman → This allowed him to complete four years of college and enter the NFL by age 21.
• Daniels was 19 as a freshman → He was already a year behind in the developmental cycle.

2. Length of College Career

• Hurts played four college seasons (2016–2019) and left for the NFL in 2020.
• Daniels played five college seasons (2019–2023) because of the COVID-19 eligibility extension.

That extra year in college delayed Daniels’ NFL debut, giving Hurts a head start in the league.

3. The NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) Era

• Hurts played before NIL, meaning he had no financial incentives to stay in college longer. His goal was to reach the NFL as soon as possible to earn a professional contract.
• Daniels benefited from NIL, reportedly earning millions in endorsement deals while still in college. This financial security made staying an extra year more appealing.

4. The COVID-19 Factor

• Hurts completed college before the pandemic and entered the NFL on a traditional timeline.
• Daniels’ career was extended due to COVID-19, granting him an extra year to develop.

Where Do They Stand Now?

Jalen Hurts (as of 2025)

✔️ 5 NFL seasons played
✔️ 2 Super Bowl appearances (1 win)
✔️ Signed a massive contract extension
✔️ One of the league’s best quarterbacks

Hurts is focused on adding more championships to his résumé and solidifying his legacy as an elite QB.

Jayden Daniels (as of 2025)

✔️ Just finished his rookie season
✔️ Led the Commanders to the playoffs
✔️ Named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
✔️ Considered one of the most promising young QBs

Daniels aims to build on his successful rookie season and take the Commanders to greater heights.

Final Thoughts: Two Different Paths, One Common Goal

Jalen Hurts and Jayden Daniels took very different paths to NFL success, but both are now among the league’s most exciting quarterbacks.

While Hurts entered the NFL earlier and has already played in two Super Bowls, Daniels took a longer route and is just beginning his professional journey.

Regardless of how they got here, one thing is certain: both quarterbacks have incredibly bright futures ahead.

As Daniels continues to develop, will he eventually catch up to Hurts in Super Bowl appearances? Only time will tell. But for now, Hurts has the clear advantage in NFL experience and accolades—a testament to how small differences in timing can lead to major disparities in career progression.