All signs point toward the Carolina Panthers giving Bryce Young an extension next offseason, but only if he plays well in 2026.
According to Dan Graziano of ESPN, the Carolina Panthers "aren't in a hurry" to sign QB Bryce Young to an extension.
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 Panthers are open to the idea of an extension for Young, and they continue to say they believe in him as their long-term franchise QB," Graziano wrote. "But they aren't in a hurry to do a deal, and it's possible this doesn't happen until next offseason. They picked up his fifth-year option for 2027 at $25.904 million, which was a no-brainer because it means they'll be paying him a total of $31.83 million over the next two years. But with Houston seemingly in no hurry with Young's 2023 draftmate C.J. Stroud, there's no rush to jump the market and do a Young deal without seeing more."
The Panthers made the playoffs last season after winning the NFC South. Young and Co. lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round at home.
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.
Young is not messing around this year. The gunslinger called out his teammates after his receivers dropped several wet footballs at OTAs.
"It isn't raining anymore," Young could be heard shouting at his teammates. "Let's clean this up now. It's not raining anymore. We need better execution."
Young is making it a point to be a more vocal leader in Year 4 and Panthers head coach Dave Canales loves it.
"I heard him get a little bit passionate," Canales said. "We had a monsoon here for a second at practice. Once the rain had passed, he was like, 'Hey, let's lock back in. We have to come up with these balls.' I think he said it with a little more colorful language than that, but I love it. I love the fact that he's taking ownership and the guys see that and rally around that. I think it's something they all appreciate."
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.
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