Does Bryce Young play himself into a new contract this season?
ESPN believes that the Carolina Panthers' biggest storyline for the 2026 season involves Bryce Young's future.
Most NFL insiders don't expect the Panthers to sign Young to an extension this offseason since the QB has been too inconsistent.
Young has to play well again next season to earn an extension.
"Does Bryce Young play himself into a new contract this season? This is a pivotal season for the Panthers' fourth-year quarterback, who earned the full-time starting role last season after losing playing time to veteran Andy Dalton in 2024. Talks of a contract extension have appeared to be quiet regarding Young, the No. 1 pick in 2023. The Panthers have slowly improved in total offense since drafting Young, from last place in 2023 to 27th last year. They have added players such as NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan in 2025 and Chris Brazzell II in the third round (No. 83 overall) of April's draft. But Young needs to show he can continue to elevate the unit if he wants a long-term contract extension next year."
Young is set to make $12.1 million next season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. His fifth-year option is worth a guaranteed $25.9 million.
Last season, Young finished with 3,011 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 216 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He led the Panthers to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 campaign.
The first overall pick in the 2023 draft, Young enters next season with 8,291 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns, 30 interceptions, 718 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in a Carolina uniform.
Not everyone who covers the NFL believes in Young, but you know who does? Panthers OC Brad Idzik.
"Just an ultimate competitor and distributor, and he's ice cold in the big moment," Idzik said about Young, via Panthers.com. "The competitor, for him, looks different. But every single person in that team meeting room knows, this guy, he's going to give you everything he's got. He's going to extend every play to the very last second. Go back to Miami last year, down 17, fourth down, and he's buying one extra tick with three guys barreling down on him just to be able to get that ball off to (Tetaroia McMillan) and keep us alive and eventually win the game.
"And then the clutch moments for him, where he doesn't bat an eye, that's just something he's always had. It goes back to Alabama, goes back to Mater Dei; he's a winner, and we've enjoyed watching all those fourth-quarter last-minute drives, giving us a chance in games."
The Panthers open the 2026 season against the Chicago Bears. That should be a fun game, as Young goes up against fellow No. 1 pick Caleb Williams.
