Ever wondered what happens to No. 1 overall quarterbacks who face the ultimate benching? Well, let’s go deeper to know more! Being the top pick comes with high expectations, but sometimes, even the most promising quarterbacks find themselves sidelined.
In this, we’ll dive into the careers of notable No. 1 overall quarterbacks who were benched by their teams since the year 2000. We’ll explore the highs and lows, the struggles and comebacks, and see how these quarterbacks handled the unexpected twists in their careers. Buckle up as we uncover the stories of these once-celebrated signal-callers who learned firsthand that being a top draft pick doesn’t always guarantee a smooth ride.
Here Are The Quarterbacks Who Were Benched And Their Unexpected Journeys Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers 
The Carolina Panthers decided to bench Bryce Young after a rough start to the 2024 season, signaling a sudden fall for the highly-touted quarterback. Young, the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, had entered the league with immense expectations after a stellar college career at Alabama. However, the Panthers’ offense, under his leadership, struggled significantly. Following a lifeless performance in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers, where Young threw for only 84 yards on 26 attempts, with an interception, the team decided to make a change. The Panthers fell to 0-2 on the season after that home loss, and Young’s poor performance added to the growing concerns surrounding his development.
In just his second NFL season, Young has compiled a 2-16 record as a starter, giving him a win percentage that ranks as the third worst by a quarterback since 1950 (among players with at least 15 starts). This swift downturn contrasts sharply with the optimism surrounding him as the top overall pick. Young’s struggles with decision-making, pocket presence, and accuracy have been glaring, making it difficult for the offense to find a rhythm. Now, after only 18 career starts, the Panthers have decided to bench him, raising questions about the future of the former Alabama star in the NFL.
Jameis Winston, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, faced a turbulent ride with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, particularly in the 2018 season. That year began with Winston suspended for the first three games due to violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. When he returned, the starting job wasn’t immediately his. Veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick had performed well in his absence, earning the start in Week 4.
Winston reclaimed the starting job in Week 5, but his inconsistency reemerged. His most significant setback occurred in Week 8 during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Winston threw four interceptions, a disastrous performance that forced head coach Dirk Koetter to bench him in favor of Fitzpatrick once again. Winston’s struggles with turnovers had been a lingering issue throughout his career, and this game highlighted the severity of that problem.
By his benching, Winston had started 48 regular-season games for the Buccaneers. His erratic play, including a game with four interceptions, led to Winston being sidelined for two additional weeks. Although he eventually reclaimed the starting role later in the season, his tenure with Tampa Bay remained marked by ups and downs, mainly due to his turnover issues.
JaMarcus Russell, Oakland Raiders 
JaMarcus Russell’s NFL career remains one of the most infamous cautionary tales of a high draft pick failing to meet expectations. Selected by the Oakland Raiders as the No. 1 overall pick in 2007, Russell entered the league with sky-high expectations, having impressed with his physical tools and arm strength at LSU. However, his career quickly descended into disappointment. Russell sat for most of his rookie season, only making his first start in Week 17. In 2008, he was named the full-time starter, but his performance never matched his potential.
The 2009 season was the turning point. After a string of subpar games, Russell’s Week 10 performance against the Kansas City Chiefs was the breaking point for the coaching staff. In that game, Russell completed just 34.7% of his passes for 64 yards, leading to his benching by head coach Tom Cable. By this point, Russell had 25 career starts, and his accuracy and work ethic had become major concerns for the team. His indefinite benching effectively marked the end of his NFL career. Russell never started another game, and he was out of the league by the end of the 2009 season. His downfalls were poor on-field performance, conditioning issues, and a lack of leadership, cemented his legacy as one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.
Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers 
Alex Smith faced adversity, injuries, and challenges in maintaining his starting role with the San Francisco 49ers. Drafted first overall in 2005, Smith endured a rocky rookie season and was in and out of the starting lineup due to injuries and inconsistent play. Despite showing flashes of potential, the 49ers’ struggles and frequent changes in offensive coordinators spoiled Smith’s early years with the team.
His first major benching came during the 2010 season. While Smith was sidelined with an injury, backup quarterback Troy Smith led the team to back-to-back victories, which complicated Alex Smith’s return to the lineup. Although Alex eventually reclaimed the starting job, a Week 15 blowout loss to the San Diego Chargers, 34-7, led to Troy Smith starting again in Week 16. After Troy Smith struggled in that game, the team fired head coach Mike Singletary and reinstated Alex Smith as the starter for the season finale.
Smith’s standing within the organization improved significantly in the following years, particularly under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. However, in 2012, Smith’s time as the starter came to an abrupt end again. After Alex Smith suffered a concussion midway through the season, Colin Kaepernick replaced him and led the 49ers on a deep playoff run, eventually reaching the Super Bowl. Despite Smith’s strong performance before the injury, Kaepernick’s success secured his position as the starter, prompting the 49ers to trade Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013.
Eli Manning, New York Giants 
Eli Manning’s legacy with the New York Giants includes two Super Bowl victories, but his career ended with a notable benching. The Chargers selected Manning first overall in 2004, but he was reluctant to play for them, so the Giants quickly traded for him. Manning became a franchise cornerstone, leading the Giants to two Super Bowl championships in 2007 and 2011, with victories coming against the New England Patriots.
However, by 2019, Manning’s time with the Giants was ending. The team had drafted quarterback Daniel Jones with the No. 6 overall pick that year, signaling a shift toward the future. Manning started the first two games of the season but struggled, and after two losses, head coach Pat Shurmur decided to bench him in favor of Jones ahead of Week 3. Manning had started an incredible 232 games for the Giants before this benching, and while he briefly returned to the starting lineup later that season, it was clear that the franchise had moved on.
Manning’s benching marked the end of an era for the Giants. Despite his two Super Bowl MVPs and legendary postseason performances, the team embraced the future with Jones, effectively signaling Manning’s retirement at the end of the 2019 season.
