The Carolina Panthers have a big decision to make on quarterback Bryce Young in the coming months. Selected with the first-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Alabama product started his career on a low note, struggling to do much of anything as a rookie before getting benched two games into his sophomore season. However, he returned to the lineup midway through the 2024 campaign and showed some promise. He built on that in Year 3, guiding the Carolina Panthers to a 7-6 record, just a half-game behind the 7-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South.
As his best, Young looks like a legitimate franchise quarterback who plays his best in big moments. However, at his worst, he still looks like the rookie who struggled to complete passes and move the ball. His inconsistency is far and away the biggest issue with his game right now, and Carolina still doesn’t know which Young is the real one. Seeing as he’s scheduled to be a free agent following the 2026 season, the Panthers must soon put their money where their mouth is and either extend the quarterback or look for his replacement.
Latest Report Gives Insight Into Panthers Plans For Bryce Young
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler, the Carolina Panthers plan on using the fifth-year option to keep Bryce Young in town for one additional season. While this will give the first-overall pick a bit of a raise in 2027, it means the team doesn’t have to make a long-term commitment to their potential franchise quarterback at this time. Frankly, this is a smart move for the team, as Young still lacks the consistency to justify franchise-altering money.
The good news for the Panthers is that Bryce Young seems to be improving on an annual basis, and games like last Sunday’s show he’s physically capable of winning shootouts against elite opponents. First-round pick Tetairoa McMillan and Young have developed a strong rapport, and former undrafted free agent Jalen Coker is starting to come alive after battling injuries. Hopefully, this stabilized supporting cast will help Young become a more consistent passer down the stretch as the team competes for a playoff spot.
In a perfect world, Bryce Young will continue his linear development and establish himself as the Panthers true franchise quarterback. However, if this inconsistency persists, Carolina can keep pushing off a final decision on a contract. Even after he plays out the fifth-year option, Carolina has the option to use the franchise tag on him in 2028 and 2029. By that point, the team should know what they have in the Alabama product.
Main Photo: Scott Kinser – Imagn Images
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