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The Carolina Panthers made a major decision regarding the future of quarterback Bryce Young on Tuesday.
Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said the team is exercising the fifth-year option on Young’s contract. The fifth-year option will be worth more than $26.5 million for the 2027 season, according to multiple reports.
If the Panthers declined Young’s fifth-year option, it would have indicated the team may have been looking to move in another direction.
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) enters the field before an NFL wild card game against the Los Angeles Rams in Charlotte, North Carolina, on January 10, 2026. (Jacob Kupferman/AP Photo)
The Panthers won the NFC South with an 8-9 record this season, while Young had the best season of his three-year career, a pivotal season for him. The 24-year-old was benched for six games last season after struggling.
The 2023 No. 1 overall pick returned and played better down the stretch after being benched, but he needed to show continued improvement for the Panthers to feel comfortable committing to him long-term. This season, Young set career highs in passing yards (3,011), passing touchdowns (23), completion percentage (63.6%) and passer rating (87.8).
Young also set a career high by throwing 11 interceptions this season. On the field, Young ran for 216 yards and two touchdowns.
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up on the field before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Oct. 12, 2025. (Cory Knowlton/Image Images)
The Panthers fell to the Los Angeles Rams, 34-31, in Young’s first career playoff game on Saturday, but the former Alabama star turned in one of the best performances of his career in the loss.
Young completed 21 of 40 passes for 264 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception while rushing for 24 yards and a touchdown. While the scoring numbers don’t seem to be great, Young extended plays with his legs and made a lot of big shots, which helped put the Panthers in position to win late.
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) carries the ball during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Oct. 5, 2025. (Cory Knowlton/Image Images)
Young threw a perfect seven-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jalen Coker to give the Panthers a 31-27 lead with 2:39 left in the fourth quarter. That would have been a winning play for Young if Matthew Stafford hadn’t led the Rams down the field.
The Panthers quarterback has consistently elevated his play late, as he has 12 game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime since entering the NFL in 2023, the most in the league during that span. Six of their 12 winning series came this season.
