Through eight games, 2023 No. 1 overall pick quarterback Bryce Young has stumbled trying to succeed at the NFL level. Following a 16-13 loss to the Chicago Bears on “Thursday Night Football,” Young’s poor play snapped a unique streak.
Before Thursday, QBs selected with traded first-overall picks were undefeated (4-0) in their first meeting against the teams that dealt the selection. Had Young found a way to lead the Panthers to victory against the Bears, he would’ve joined an exclusive list including Jared Goff (2016, Tennessee Titans), Michael Vick (2001, San Diego Chargers), Jeff George (1990, Atlanta Falcons) and Steve Bartkowski (1975, Baltimore Colts).
Remarkably, even though all four QBs before Young made over 100 career starts each, three played their almost teams only once. George and Bartkowski retired 1-0 against the teams that passed on them, while Goff is unbeaten in one meeting against the Titans.
In only his second NFL season, Goff helped the Los Angeles Rams knock off the Titans 27-23 in Week 15 of the 2017 campaign, throwing for 301 yards while tying a season-high with four touchdowns and zero interceptions. Goff hasn’t faced the Titans since, but he won’t have to wait long since the Lions will play host to them in 2024.
Young’s first meeting against the Bears did not go his way, falling in a duel with undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent. The 22-year-old struggled against Chicago, finishing 21-of-38 for 185 yards, with 45 coming on one play.
“We have to be better. I have to be better, first and foremost,” Young said via David Newton of ESPN. “It’s frustrating, it’s really frustrating. And that’s not just me, it’s everyone. We’re competitors.”
If Young hopes to gain a measure of revenge against the Bears, he’ll have to wait a while unless the two meet in the playoffs somehow down the road. The Panthers don’t match up against the Bears again until the 2026 season.
