Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels won the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week award 11 times in 2024. It shattered Ben Roethlisberger’s record, which had stood since 2004. Daniels would go on to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, lead Washington to the NFC Championship game and the franchise’s best season in 33 years.
Now, Washington has another star rookie on its hands. Running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt was a seventh-round pick from Arizona. Seventh-round picks aren’t often in the conversation for Rookie of the Week awards, much less Rookie of the Year.
Through five weeks, it’s clear that Bill isn’t your average seventh-rounder.
Which RBs (AND THEIR O-LINES) are generating explosive plays and avoiding being stuffed?
– Jacorey Croskey-Merritt is balling!
– Rico Dowdle brought an explosive element that Chuba Hubbard hasn’t
– Etienne and Dobbins are playing so well@FantasyPtsDatapic.twitter.com/N2kcJodmJn
— Ryan Heath (@RyanJ_Heath) October 8, 2025
Despite a limited amount of carries, Croskey-Merritt has won the Rookie of the Week title twice already in 2025. In fact, the Commanders have won the award three out of five weeks. Wide receiver Jaylin Lane won the award in Week 3. Croskey-Merritt won it in Weeks 1 and 5. Last week, Bill carried the ball 14 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 39 yards. His workload has increased each week and considering the run defenses that the Commanders play over the next several weeks, Croskey-Merritt could add more hardware to his collection.
Could he even catch Daniels? That’s his goal.
“For sure, we were talking about that at practice,” Croskey-Merritt said after Thursday’s practice. “He was like, ‘You’re trying to break my record.’ Yeah, I definitely want to keep stacking them.”
Bill joked he’s trying to catch Jayden’s record for Rookie of the Week belts pic.twitter.com/FR3TQeJaOY
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 9, 2025
Croskey-Merritt has been busy since his breakout game on Sunday. After Sunday’s game, Bill won the Tom Brady “LFG Player of the Game” award. Brady was on the call for Washington’s win against the Chargers and interviewed Croskey-Merritt after the game. He was also named the FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week.
The Commanders and Croskey-Merritt face the Chicago Bears on Monday night. Chicago has one of the NFL’s worst run defenses. Could we expect another big week from Bill?
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Croskey-Merritt wants to surpass Jayden Daniels
