Bryce Young, the Carolina Panthers' No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has a chance to break a 20-year curse that has tormented first-overall-picked quarterbacks. 

On Sunday, Young will take on the Atlanta Falcons. If the Panthers win, they will start the season on solid footing. However, if the Panthers lose, it would mark the 15th straight game where a quarterback who was selected first overall loses their first game. 

Brutal. 

The last first overall pick to win in their debut was David Carr.

In that game, he led the Houston Texans to a 19-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys, going 10-22 for 145 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. 

Young will try and tag his name onto a thin list of first-victory first-game No. 1 overall quarterback selections. 

The Panthers are placing Young in a leadership role as well. On Wednesday he was named one of six captains, which he described as an honor. 

“It’s a real honor,” he said when asked about the elevation of his role on the team. “It’s something I definitely don’t take lightly. It means a lot to me to be a captain. And I’m super grateful to my teammates for just accepting me and allowing me to come in. This has been a great experience for me. It’s a great locker room and a great coaching staff. And, again, everyone just accepted me and allowed me to grow and us to be able to progress as a team.

“So really, again, it’s something that I really take a lot of pride in. It’s a huge honor for me and, obviously, there’s a responsibility that comes with that as well. So, I’m excited for that challenge and I don’t take that lightly.”

He can't take Week 1 lightly if he wants to buck the 20-year trend. 

Recent quarterbacks to lose their first game include notable names like Trevor Lawrence, whose Jacksonville Jaguars lost to the Houston Texans 37-21 in 2021. In that game, Lawrence amassed 312 yards and three touchdowns. 

Before Lawrence, there was Burrow, whose Cincinnati Bengals lost to Los Angeles Chargers 16-13, in a game where Burrow collected 193 yards and no touchdowns. 

Young plans to flip that narrative soon enough. 

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Feature image via Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports.