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The Carolina Panthers made a big decision Tuesday regarding the future of quarterback Bryce Young.
Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said the team is picking up the fifth-year option on Young’s contract. The fifth-year option will be worth more than $26.5 million for the 2027 season, according to multiple reports.
Had the Panthers declined Young’s fifth-year option, it would have signaled that the team may have looked to move in another direction.
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) walks onto the field before an NFL Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Rams in Charlotte, North Carolina on January 10, 2026. (Jacob Kupferman/AP Photo)
The Panthers won the NFC South with an 8-9 record this season, while Young had the best season of his three-year career, a pivotal season for him. The 24-year-old was benched for six games last season after struggling.
The 2023 No. 1 overall pick returned and played better after being benched, but he needed to show continued improvement for the Panthers to feel comfortable committing to him long-term. This season, Young set career highs in passing yards (3,011), passing touchdowns (23), completion percentage (63.6%) and passer rating (87.8).
Young also set a career high by throwing 11 interceptions this season. On the ground, Young totaled 216 yards and two touchdowns.
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up on the field before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on October 12, 2025. (Cory Knowlton/Imagn Images)
The Panthers fell to the Los Angeles Rams, 34-31, in Young’s first career playoff game Saturday, but the former Alabama star turned in one of the best performances of his career in the loss.
Young completed 21 of 40 passes for 264 yards with a touchdown and an interception while rushing for 24 yards and a touchdown. Although the scoring numbers didn’t look great, Young extended the play with his legs and made many important throws, helping the Panthers put themselves in position to win late.
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) carries the ball during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on October 5, 2025. (Cory Knowlton/Imagn Images)
Young threw a perfect seven-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jalen Coker to give the Panthers a 31-27 lead with 2:39 left in the fourth quarter. This would have been a game-winning drive for Young if Matthew Stafford hadn’t led the Rams down the field to the lead.
The Panthers quarterback has consistently elevated his game late in games, as he has 12 career game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime since entering the NFL in 2023, the most in the league during that span. Six of his 12 winning drives came this season.
