The Carolina Panthers were named a top-20 team in the NFL.
Bleacher Report believes the Carolina Panthers are the 20th-best team in the NFL.
Even though the Panthers won the NFC South title last season, they finished with a sub-.500 record and needed help in Week 18 to win the division.
"The Panthers have the pieces to repeat as division champs, but an 8-9 record isn't likely to get it done this year," NFL analyst Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report wrote.
The Panthers won't sign Young to an extension this offseason, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. 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.
"The feeling leaguewide is that he will play out his fourth year and not get a new deal this summer, but everybody seems to be okay with that," Fowler reported Saturday on ESPN's SportsCenter. "The Panthers love Young, but they are in a little bit of a wait-and-see mode with him. They just want to see him put it all together.
"He's been erratic at times. He's been really good at times. He's been a closer late in games helping them get to the playoffs. If he can do that again and put together some more consistent passing performances, he's in line for a big-time payday."
Young finished the 2025 season 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. He's 14-30-0 as a starter.
If Young plays well next season, the Panthers will sign him to an extension next offseason.
However, if Young struggles in 2026, he could get traded next offseason.
Panthers Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Panthers. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
