NFL Writer Shares Contract Comparison For Bryce Young

The Carolina Panthers are hoping to get better here in 2026 as training camp and the preseason rolls on. Following a fun, and surprising season in 2025 where they won the NFC South, the goal is to take a step forward.

Dave Canales' team has some big questions to answer this year and are being doubted by several media members. Their success could weigh on the shoulders of quarterback Bryce Young who is entering his fourth season.

The former No. 1 overall pick is coming off of what was his best season to date in 2025, looking more comfortable in the offense. But consistency has been the big issue for the former Alabama standout. Young has shown potential to be a franchise quarterback but it's not enough for the Panthers to fully commit to him for the long term. 

That will bring up a big decision this offseason.

As contract talks haven't really picked up just yet, ESPN's Dan Graziano wrote on the Young situation and predicted he could get a deal similar to what Daniel Jones got with the Indianapolis Colts.

Here is what Graziano had to say:

The Panthers have a season similar to 2025 (maybe a little bit better) but miss the playoffs because their division got stronger around them. Young continues to show signs that he can be the guy, and without another obvious option, the Panthers extend him next spring with a contract that falls closer to the Daniel Jones range in terms of average annual salary than it does to the Dak Prescott tier.

Jones is averaging $44 million per year from his deal with the Indianapolis Colts while Prescott is in the $60 million range. So it would make sense to work out a deal closer to Jones than anything else. 

Young would have to really go out and prove his worth in a big way if he wanted a better deal. That would also make the decision easier for the Panthers this offseason. 

Either way, come this offseason it could get very interesting for the Panthers and their quarterback situation, especially with a loaded draft for quarterbacks coming up.