Bryce Young’s 2023 season was widely criticized, with a recent ranking emphasizing just how poorly he performed as a rookie quarterback. NFL analyst Warren Sharp shared a list on X, formerly known as Twitter, ranking Young as the worst rookie quarterback since 2000 out of a total of 33 players. This places Young’s debut season among the worst in recent NFL history, with other underperforming rookies such as Blaine Gabbert, DeShone Kizer, Blake Bortles, David Carr, Chris Weinke, and Joey Harrington ranked ahead of him. None of these quarterbacks managed to establish themselves as notable players in the league for a good reason.
worst rookie QBs since 2000 (out of 33 QBs)
#27 – Joey Harrington -0.15
#28 – Chris Weinke-0.17
#29 – David Carr -0.17
#30 – Blake Bortles -0.18
#31 – DeShone Kizer -0.23
#32 – Blaine Gabbert -0.23
#33 – Bryce Young -0.27
(min 400 att)
Young was the worst rookie since 2000
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 1, 2024
However, Young is not guaranteed to follow the same path as those before him. The Panthers have made significant changes by firing Frank Reich, hiring Dave Canales, and bringing in new general manager Dan Morgan, all in an effort to help Young excel as a quarterback. This commitment to Young was further demonstrated through acquiring Diontae Johnson, Robert Hunt, and Damien Lewis to bolster the offense. With these additions, the Panthers’ offense is on track to undergo a major transformation, and now Young must deliver on the team’s investment in him. There is no doubt that he has the potential, having been the top pick from Alabama for his exceptional playmaking abilities. With the right support and potentially more additions in the upcoming draft, Young could very well fulfill the expectations associated with being the first overall pick in his second year.
