Jaxson Dart and five other NFL QBs who started sooner than expected

The best-laid plans of NFL coaches often go awry, especially when developing rookie quarterbacks. Case in point, the New York Giants are making a change at quarterback, replacing veteran Russell Wilson with Jaxson Dart after just three weeks of the 22-year-old being QB No. 2. 

The 25th pick in the draft, Dart was expected to sit behind Wilson for as long as possible. However, Big Blue's 0-3 start with head coach Brian Daboll already on the hot seat quickly changed that plan. 

Dart starting earlier than expected isn't all that surprising, as is often the case, rookie quarterbacks are on the field sooner than most expect. He now joins the company of five other quarterbacks whose development plans were expedited for various reasons.

Russell Wilson

As is the circle of life for quarterbacks, Wilson is being replaced by a young upstart, just like he did in 2012. Wilson was drafted in the third round and expected to sit behind veteran Matt Flynn. However, a promising training camp led to head coach Pete Carroll naming Wilson the starter for Week 1. Wilson still holds the record for most wins for a quarterback through his first nine seasons (98), but he's far from his peak form.

Josh Allen

In 2018, Allen didn't resemble the MVP quarterback he is now, but he still possessed his cannon arm and athleticism. So, the Buffalo Bills wanted to take their time in developing Allen, a plan that lasted three quarters. After inserting Allen into a 40-0 blowout against the Baltimore Ravens, the Bills named Allen their starting quarterback. 

The following week, he threw two interceptions in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Still, Allen rebounded quickly with a three-touchdown performance in a road win over the Minnesota Vikings, demonstrating the poise and big playmaking capabilities that everyone knows today.

Dak Prescott

There wasn't a doubt that Prescott was going to be the future for the Dallas Cowboys as Tony Romo's career was in its twilight in 2016. It's just that the Cowboys couldn't predict back-to-back injuries for Romo and backup quarterback Kellen Moore in the preseason. 

Prescott had to start for the whole season, and Dallas was glad he did, as the team went 13-3 and Prescott won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Romo retired the following year, and Prescott is still the face of the Cowboys.

Justin Herbert

The former University of Oregon star didn't know he was going to start his first NFL game of the 2020 season until pregame warmups. At the time, starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor aggravated a chest injury, and he was rushed to the hospital due to the team's medical staff accidentally puncturing his lung. 

Herbert stepped up and threw for 311 yards and one touchdown pass, along with a rushing touchdown, in a 23-20 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, Herbert looks like an MVP candidate on the 3-0 Chargers in 2025.

Daniel Jones

The controversial ninth overall pick in the 2019 draft was sitting behind a past-his-prime Eli Manning. With head coach Pat Shurmur desperate for a spark and trailing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3, he made the call to put the more athletic Jones in. 

The man now known as Indiana Jones, as the starting quarterback for the 3-0 Indianapolis Colts, provided that spark. With a fresh arm, Jones threw for 336 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Giants to their first win of the 2019 season. History may not exactly repeat itself in New York, but it sure sounds like it's rhyming.