In the ever-unpredictable world of NFL draft choices, the Carolina Panthers' decision to bench Bryce Young, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft, shines a spotlight on the risks involved in selecting a quarterback. Despite the availability of C.J. Stroud, the Panthers opted for Young, who has now been benched in favor of veteran Andy Dalton. Meanwhile, Stroud, who was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023, is flourishing in Houston. This once again demonstrates that the choice of a quarterback can either lead a franchise to success or set it back years.

The importance of selecting the right quarterback cannot be overstated. It can mean acquiring a franchise player who becomes the face of the team for years to come. Conversely, making the wrong choice can have drastic consequences, including costing head coaches and general managers their jobs and labeling the player as a "bust" for the rest of their career.

Looking back at NFL history, there have been several notable quarterback draft busts. One such example is Baker, who enjoyed an extraordinary college career, winning numerous prestigious awards. However, his arm strength and struggles with deep passes came to light during his rookie training camp. Despite starting in the season opener, his tenure as a quarterback lasted only one game before being converted to a running back and subsequently leaving the league.

Another infamous case is Russell, who showcased an imposing physical presence and exceptional arm strength during his pro day. However, a lengthy holdout and issues with weight and laziness plagued his NFL career, which ended after just three years.

The story of Leaf and Manning serves as a cautionary tale. Manning was selected by the Indianapolis Colts as the top pick, while the San Diego Chargers were enamored with Leaf's physical attributes. However, Leaf's immaturity and a poor performance on the field led to a short-lived and disappointing career.

Smith's selection by the Cincinnati Bengals is another example of a quarterback draft bust. Despite his college success, questions arose about his work ethic, commitment, and ability to grasp the playbook. After a disappointing record over three seasons, the Bengals decided to part ways with Smith.

Even the New York Jets fell victim to a quarterback bust when they chose Wilson over Lawrence, the No. 1 pick of the 2021 draft. Wilson's impressive numbers at BYU were overshadowed by concerns about the quality of his competition and the support he received from an excellent offensive line. His time with the Jets came to an end when they acquired Aaron Rodgers in 2023, leading to a trade with the Denver Broncos in 2024.

The San Francisco 49ers' selection of Lance raises eyebrows. The team traded multiple first-round picks to move up and select the relatively untested player from North Dakota State. However, Lance's injury and subsequent loss of a backup competition ultimately led to his trade to the Dallas Cowboys.

Schlichter's struggles with gambling were well-known, yet they were ignored by Ohio State and the NFL. His brief career, spanning just 17 games over three seasons, was marred by off-field issues and an inability to secure a starting role.

Ware's promising career at Houston appeared to be a perfect fit for the Lions' offensive scheme, but head coach Wayne Fontes favored other quarterbacks. Ware started just six times in 14 games for Detroit, and his NFL career ended after the 1993 season.

Lastly, Leinart's collegiate success at USC did not translate to a fruitful NFL career. Despite being chosen by the Cardinals at No. 10, Leinart struggled with interceptions and eventually lost his starting role to Kurt Warner before exiting the league in 2012.

These examples serve as cautionary tales for NFL teams, highlighting the challenges of evaluating quarterback talent in the draft. The quarterback position carries immense weight, and making the wrong choice can have long-lasting consequences for teams, players, coaches, and general managers.