TRZ Ad
2025NFL

Carolina Panthers Have Made Their Final Decision On QB Bryce Young

2

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Bryce Young (Photo By Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)

The Carolina Panthers didn’t win on Wild Card Weekend, but they learned a lot. That may matter more than the loss.

Carolina fell 34-31 to the Rams, but Bryce Young changed how the team views his future. He stayed composed, made big throws, and kept the game close until the end. His performance made the Panthers’ next move clear.

According to Adam Schefter, general manager Dan Morgan said the team plans to pick up Young’s fifth-year option. That decision would keep Young under contract through the 2027 season and show that Carolina believes in him as its quarterback moving forward.

Panthers Choose Patience With Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young. (Photo By Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

Since the NFL added the fifth-year option, every quarterback taken first overall has received it. Bryce Young is no different. The Panthers drafted him No. 1, and they still believe in his long-term upside.

Young is already under contract through 2026. Picking up the option would extend that to 2027 and cost roughly $30 million over the next two seasons. That matters because elite quarterbacks now make over $50 million per year. The move gives the Carolina Panthers flexibility while it keeps evaluating the roster.

Young’s 2025 season showed some growth, but also clear issues. He passed for 3,011 yards with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Moreover, he helped the Panthers finish 8-9 and win the division. While he took steps forward, his play was not steady every week.

The playoff loss to the Rams, which had a lot of drama, changed the whole scene. Young completed 21 of 40 passes for 264 yards, threw one touchdown, and ran for another. He gave Carolina the lead late with a touchdown pass to Jalen Coker. The defense couldn’t hold on, but Young delivered when it mattered most.

There has been talk around the league about a possible big extension this offseason. Inside the Panthers’ building, that idea isn’t gaining traction. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported that Carolina holds all the leverage. The team controls the fifth-year option and could use the franchise tag in 2028 if needed.

The Panthers aren’t rushing anything. The roster still needs improvement, and Young still needs to prove himself over time. A short, team-friendly deal could make sense down the road. Anything near Tua Tagovailoa’s massive money does not.

Carolina plans to give Young better protection and more stability. If he takes another step in 2026, they’ll pay him. If not, the team stays protected.

The Panthers are choosing patience. In today’s NFL, that might be the smartest play.

Teams