Panthers' Bryce Young Hit With Stern Warning From NFL Exec

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has certainly had a topsy-turvy 2025 NFL campaign, much like his entire professional career.

Young got off to an awful start this season, so much so that there was talk of benching the former No. 1 overall pick. But he has flipped a switch lately and has the Panthers in position to win the NFC South, which would be a truly astonishing feat for the languishing franchise.

But Young is not just playing for Carolina; he is also playing for himself.

The Panthers have this offseason to determine whether or not they will exercise Young's fifth-year option for 2027, and it certainly depends on how the 24-year-old finishes out the rest of the campaign.

As for a potential contract extension for Young, who becomes eligible for one after this season? One NFL executive thinks that the University of Alabama product has a long way to go.

"He has not shown an ability to consistently make the entire offense better with him," the exec said, via ESPN's David Newton. "Basically, he has two years to earn an extension if you pick up his option year.''

Young has thrown for 2,337 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 63.4 percent of his passes and posting an 87.9 passer rating over 12 starts in 2025. He is certainly on track to have the best year of his NFL career, but that isn't exactly saying much.

The Wynnewood, Pa. native has played much better of late, but we saw a similar trend from Young in 2024, when he came on during the second half of the season and had many thinking he had finally arrived. Then, he laid an egg during the first half of this year.

There is no question that the final four games of this season will be absolutely pivotal for Young's tenure in Carolina, not to mention his professional career in general.

If Young falters down the stretch, the Panthers may choose not to pick up Young's fifth-year option, which would then make him a free agent after next season.

It could also trigger Carolina's search for a new quarterback this offseason if it starts becoming clear to the front office that Young is not the long-term solution.

The Panthers are 7-6 and will face the New Orleans Saints this Sunday.