The Panthers made the expected move of picking up Bryce Young‘s fifth-year option earlier this week. Attention will now turn to the matter of an extension for the previous No. 1 pick.
Young is on course to gather $25.9MM in guaranteed salary for 2027 because of this of Carolina’s decision. The team could elect to attend before making a long-term commitment given the previous Heisman winner’s incremental progress on the NFL level. Young himself would welcome an extension, nonetheless, and a report from last month indicated the Panthers could oblige.
GM Dan Morgan addressed the Young situation during an interview with Sirius XM’s Adam Schein (audio link). He said a multiyear deal is “something that we’re talking about here internally,” adding “we’ll do it at the precise time.” It would thus be interesting to see if negotiations with Young’s camp happen throughout the coming weeks.
“Obviously he got here into a very rough situation when it comes to coaching staff, perhaps you would say the talent around him wasn’t great as well,” Morgan said of Young. “I feel you see him just convalescing and higher each yr. Understanding the offense, he’s such a great processor, and a man that’s only a pleasure to have across the constructing day by day. As you see him mature, you see him develop into a greater leader each yr. And the operation’s getting faster yearly. So we actually feel just like the arrow is up with Bryce.”
Young set a brand new profession high in several categories throughout the 2025 season, although his 188 passing yards per game average and 87.8 passer rating left plenty to be desired. The 24-year-old totaled 23 touchdown passes while helping Carolina win the NFC South, but he added 11 interceptions along the best way. One other step forward will likely be required for Young to be considered among the many game’s top quarterbacks and thus justify an extension near the highest of the market. 10 passers currently collect between $51MM and $60MM per yr on average.
Young could look to hitch that group when his next deal is signed, especially with the NFL’s salary cap continuing to rise. How his asking price compares to the Panthers’ valuation will likely be value monitoring closely, though. Carolina has the power to attend out the 2026 season before engaging in serious extension talks. Whether or not Morgan and Co. decide to achieve this will little question depend largely on how internal discussions fare over the near future.