Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick by the Carolina Panthers, has been benched after 18 starts. This decision comes after Young's performance did not meet expectations, marking a significant development in his young career.
Interestingly, Young is not the quickest top pick to be benched in NFL history. John Elway, who was selected first overall by the Denver Broncos in 1983, was replaced by veteran QB Steve DeBerg in his first two career starts. Elway was eventually benched after five games but later returned to the starting lineup in Week 11, paving the way for a Hall of Fame career that included leading the Broncos to consecutive Super Bowl victories.
Throughout NFL history, a total of 36 quarterbacks have been chosen as the No. 1 overall pick, with 28 of them selected in the Super Bowl era. This elite group includes iconic names such as Terry Bradshaw, Troy Aikman, Jameis Winston, JaMarcus Russell, and Tim Couch.
Terry Bradshaw, who was picked by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1970, faced early struggles with 12 interceptions and only two touchdowns in his first seven starts. Bradshaw was benched for Terry Hanratty but eventually reclaimed his starting role, going on to win four Super Bowl titles and earning a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Similarly, Troy Aikman, selected first overall by the Dallas Cowboys in 1989, endured a challenging rookie season before leading the team to three Super Bowl victories. Jameis Winston, drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, faced a benching in his fourth season but bounced back to have a productive year under coach Bruce Arians.
JaMarcus Russell, who started for the Oakland Raiders, struggled to maintain his starting position and was permanently benched in his third season. Tim Couch, chosen by the Cleveland Browns in 1999, had a rollercoaster career that included a playoff appearance but ended with a benching in 2003.
These stories of resilience and perseverance highlight the unpredictable journey that many top draft picks face in the NFL. While being benched can be a setback, it is often a turning point that shapes the trajectory of a player's career.
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