Drew Brees (2004)
Brees spent his 2001 rookie season on the bench behind Doug Flutie, being elevated into San Diego’s starting role ahead of the 2002 season.
Already 23 years and 236 days old on the afternoon of his first NFL start in 2002 (an age Sam Darnold will not reach until after the conclusion of his third season as a starter), Brees did not hit the ground running. Out of 29 qualified quarterbacks from 2002-03, Brees ranked 28th in yards per attempt (6.