Why Bryce Young Can Still Become the Panthers’ Long-Term Starter After His Fifth-Year Option
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 03: Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young 9 runs ahead before a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers, January 3, 2025 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida Photo by Ricky Bowden/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 03 Panthers at Buccaneers EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon55301032026005 ©IMAGO/Icon Sportswire During his Heisman Trophy-winning days at Alabama, Bryce Young showed the ability to win games despite lacking elite athleticism or prototypical quarterback size. In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers made a big investment in that ability by trading up with the Chicago Bears to select Young with the No. 1 overall pick.
The message was clear: Carolina believed Young could be the face of their franchise. But has that leap of faith in Young’s abilities paid off yet? Young’s rookie season was anything but smooth sailing.
He got benched early and secured just two wins for Carolina. In over three uneven seasons, Young has recorded 49 touchdowns against 30 interceptions. So, this offseason, when Young’s fifth-year option became available, many expected the Panthers to reconsider their investment in him.
But last week, Panthers’ general manager Dan Morgan made it clear that his team is exercising the option rather than releasing Young. “Once the draft’s over, we’ll definitely get that going,” Morgan said while talking about Young in the Panthers’ pre-draft presser. “Obviously, the player’s not in the building yet.
We’ll get that done as soon as he gets back in the building. ” That option will keep Young in Carolina through 2027, and he will get a guaranteed $26. 5 million under the contract.
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