It’s true that Bryce Young’s story in the NFL is still unfolding. Being benched early in his second season can be tough, especially after being drafted so highly. However, the league has seen several players, like Baker Mayfield, find success after challenging starts.
Bryce Young’s career could very well see a turnaround, whether it’s with the Panthers or another team. The key will be how he handles this setback and what opportunities come his way in the future.
It’s certainly been a rough start for Bryce Young, and the situation raises valid concerns. Evaluating whether he’s the worst first overall draft pick in NFL history is complex. Many factors contribute to a player’s success or failure, including team support, coaching, and surrounding talent.

Bryce Young (Credit: X)
Historically, some first overall picks have struggled, such as JaMarcus Russell or Tim Couch.
However, it’s still early in Young’s career to definitively label him as the worst. His development might improve with more experience and better support systems.
It’s worth monitoring how he responds to this adversity and whether he can turn things around in the coming seasons.
Focusing on the common NFL Draft era starting in 1967 provides a more relevant comparison. Here are a few notable No. 1 overall picks from that period who faced significant challenges or underwhelming careers:
- JaMarcus Russell (2007, Oakland Raiders): Russell’s career is often cited as one of the biggest draft busts. He struggled with work ethic and performance issues, leading to a short-lived NFL career.
- Tim Couch (1999, Cleveland Browns): Couch had a promising start but was hampered by a struggling team and injury issues. His career did not meet the high expectations set by his draft status.
- David Carr (2002, Houston Texans): Carr had a tough start with a weak offensive line and poor team performance. While he did have some success later in his career as a backup, his time as a starter was underwhelming.
- Alex Smith (2005, San Francisco 49ers): Smith faced criticism early in his career due to inconsistent performance and frequent coaching changes. However, he eventually rebounded to have a respectable career, including a Pro Bowl selection and a comeback from a severe leg injury.

Bryce Young (Credit: Pinterest)
Comparing Young to these players:
- JaMarcus Russell and Tim Couch had significant struggles early in their careers and failed to live up to expectations, much like Young is facing now.
- David Carr and Alex Smith had challenging starts but eventually found some success. Smith’s turnaround highlights that early struggles don’t always define a player’s entire career.
It’s important to remember that many No. 1 overall picks face challenges, and a player’s career trajectory can change over time. Young still has the opportunity to improve and prove himself in the league.
The Matrix star, Keanu Reeves has been affectionately dubbed the “Internet’s Boyfriend” for his endearing public persona. Alexandra Grant, his partner, is a well-regarded visual artist known for her innovative use of text and language.
Her work has been featured in numerous publications and she has collaborated with literary and philosophical figures. Their collaboration, which began as a friendship, helped bring her work to global attention.
Alexandra Grant and Keanu Reeves have had a significant and evolving relationship since their professional collaboration on the book Ode to Happiness in 2011.
Their friendship eventually blossomed into a romantic relationship, which became public in 2019.

Alexandra Grant and Keanu Reeves (Credit: YouTube)
As of 2024, they are living together in Los Angeles, and their relationship is reportedly very positive and fulfilling for Reeves. Grant is known for her creative work and unique perspectives, including her views on marriage, which reflect her thoughtful approach to both her art and personal life.
Meet Alexandra Grant: Keanu Reeves’ Partner
Artist
Alexandra Grant is indeed a versatile artist based in Los Angeles. While she is primarily known for her painting, she has also explored various other creative ventures, including drawing, sculpture, and installations.
Her work often incorporates text and language, reflecting her interest in the intersection of visual art and literature.
This diversity in her artistic practice showcases her innovative approach to art and her ability to engage with different media and concepts.
Alexandra Grant has made significant contributions through her collaborations with prominent figures like feminist Hélène Cixous and digital literature pioneer Michael Joyce. Her art has been showcased in notable venues, including the Orange County Museum of Art and the Marfa Invitational in Texas.
In September 2023, Grant shared that her art has undergone a transformation since falling in love with Keanu Reeves, indicating that her personal experiences have deeply influenced her creative work.
“I had a studio visit a few years ago, and this very kind, very high-level person said, ‘I can see that your work has gotten happier,’ ” she recalled. “That’s real. We’re all human beings. We’re animals. We’re expressing from where we are. I think the work is happier.”
She went on to call the John Wick star her “inspiration.”
Multilingual
Alexandra Grant’s multilingual abilities stem from her diverse educational background. Growing up, she attended various schools in different countries, which exposed her to multiple cultures.
Her education included time at a British school in Mexico City, a boarding school in Missouri, and the International School of Paris.
This international experience contributed to her fluency in English, Spanish, and French, and has likely influenced her global perspective and artistic approach.
“I grew up in part in Mexico City, Washington, D.C., and Paris, moving between languages and cultures,” she told LA Weekly in 2019. “Los Angeles felt like home from the moment I first arrived in 1995, especially the diversity of people, idioms, foods, and plants (like jacaranda and bougainvillea).”
Co-Owner of a Publishing Company With Keanu Reeves
In 2017, Alexandra Grant and Keanu Reeves co-founded X Artists’ Books, a publishing house dedicated to producing artist-centered books that blend and explore various genres.

Alexandra Grant and Keanu Reeves (Credit: YouTube)
According to their website, X Artists’ Books aims to create “thoughtful, high-quality” works that serve as “portals to imagined worlds” and act as “treasured companions” within a broader community.
Their focus is on blending artistry with literature to produce unique and meaningful publications.
Yes, X Artists’ Books is commonly abbreviated as XAB. This abbreviation is often used to refer to the publishing house in discussions and writings about its work and impact.
Philanthropist
Alexandra Grant’s grantLOVE project, launched in 2008, focuses on producing and selling original artwork to support various artist projects and arts non-profits.
The initiative has raised funds for organizations such as Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), Project Angel Food, Art of Elysium, 18th Street Arts Center, and LAXART.
Additionally, her work has been exhibited at prominent institutions, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles, the Hammer Museum, and the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Open Up Of Keanu Reeves’ Relationship
After making her relationship with Keanu Reeves public in 2019, Alexandra Grant shared with Vogue that she experienced mixed emotions about the decision.
She expressed a blend of feelings, including the excitement and challenges of stepping into the public eye, highlighting the complexity of balancing personal and public aspects of their relationship.
“I think every single person I knew called me in the first week of November, and that’s fascinating, but the question I’ve been asking in all of this is: ‘What is the opportunity for good,’ ” she said.
Despite her involvement in the broader discussion of marriage, Alexandra Grant has her own perspectives on the institution of marriage.
She has expressed a thoughtful and sometimes unconventional view on marriage, emphasizing that her approach is informed by her personal beliefs and experiences.
Alexandra Grant’s views reflect her broader outlook on relationships and commitment, aligning with her unique perspective on art and life.
“Love at every level is deeply important to my identity,” she told before joking, “How’s that for dodging the question?”
She continued:
“I do not believe that isolation is the way. There is a period of isolation that I do as a painter, but I deeply value the experience of being in relationships.”