NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
The Carolina Panthers made an important decision on the future of quarterback Bryce Young on Tuesday.
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.
If the Panthers declined Young’s fifth-year option, it would have signaled that the team might have been looking to move on in a different direction.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) takes 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 defining season for him. The 24-year-old was benched for six games last season after struggling.
The 2023 No. 1 overall pick came back and played better down the stretch after being benched, but 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 rushed for 216 yards and two touchdowns.
PACKERS STAR CALLS BEARS COACH BEN JOHNSON A ‘TROLL’ FOR PROFANE OUTBREAK
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 on 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 passing touchdown and an interception while rushing for 24 yards and a touchdown. While the box score numbers don’t look great, Young plays with his legs extended and made plenty of big throws, which helped put the Panthers in position to win late.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) carries the ball in 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. It would have been a game-winning move for Young if Matthew Stafford didn’t drive the Rams down the field for the lead.
The Panthers quarterback has consistently raised his game of late, as he has 12 career game-winning touchdowns in the fourth quarter or overtime since entering the NFL in 2023, the most in the league during that span. Six of his 12 game-winning drives came this season.
