Bryce Young is being pressed to make a big decision on his Carolina Panthers future.

Bryce Young is now in his third season as an NFL quarterback, and there is no doubt that is future with the Carolina Panthers is in question.

Yes, the Panthers selected him with the No. 1 overall pick back in 2023, but he has been far too inconsistent for Carolina to say for sure if he is its long-term answer under center, and to be quite frank, it might not even be in Young's best interest to stick around.

The Panthers have until next May to decide on whether or not they will exercise Young's fifth-year option. If they choose not to, Young will be a free agent after 2026, and he can go anywhere he pleases. Bleacher Report's Alex Kay seems to think that is the best case scenario for the University of Alabama product.

"While the Panthers aren't going to give up on Young anytime soon—especially after investing a plethora of resources into trading up to get him atop the 2023 draft—he may end up hitting free agency relatively early in his career if Carolina doesn't emerge as a viable playoff contender in the next few years," Kay wrote. "That could be the best thing for Young's long-term outlook, as it would allow him to have a chance to pick his next destination and land with a club that boasts the best possible protection and potential to finally unlock his impressive arm talents."

Young enjoyed his best game of the season this past Sunday, going 17-for-25 with 199 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in a 30-27 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

But while that was Young's best effort of 2025, it still wasn't a brilliant performance, and he has only hit the 200-yard mark once this year.

The 24-year-old actually showed signs of a breakout down the stretch last season, throwing seven touchdown passes while also punching in three rushing scores — without any picks, mind you — over his last three contests. But that has not carried over into this year.

It may be best for both sides to split ways when it becomes possible, but right now, the Panthers are still evaluating Young. Who knows? Maybe he will find himself with what's left of the 2025 campaign, and it should be noted that Carolina has won two straight and three of its last four.

The Panthers will face the New York Jets next Sunday.