Not much went right Sunday for Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft lost his regular-season debut to the Atlanta Falcons, 24-10.
One of the few silver linings was his first touchdown pass, a four-yard toss to tight end Hayden Hurst in the second quarter.
The problem is, Hurst launched the ball into the stands after getting into the end zone, briefly depriving the Alabama alum of an important souvenir.
However, after the game, Hurst tweeted that the Panthers had retrieved the ball.
“Yes, I blacked out and threw Bryce’s first touchdown in the seats… But they threw it back and the ball is in safe hands… everyone can relax and dial it back about 30%,” Hurst wrote.
Young probably also wants back his two interceptions from the season-opening loss.
He finished the game with 148 passing yards, 17 rushing yards and an ugly 48.8 QB rating.
Young wasn’t the only newbie to struggle in his debut Sunday.
Houston Texans rookie C.J. Stroud, the second overall pick in this year’s draft, lost to the Baltimore Ravens, 25-9.
Indianapolis Colts rookie Anthony Richardson, who was selected fourth overall, fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 31-21.
The last quarterback who was the No. 1 overall pick to win his starting debut was David Carr in 2002.
The last 15 QBs in that position went 0-14-1 in their first starts.
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