Panthers make major decision on quarterback Bryce Young's future following playoff loss

Greg Olsen and Joe Davis broke down the Los Angeles Rams' 34-31 win over the Carolina Panthers in the Wild Card Round.

The Carolina Panthers made a major decision on quarterback Bryce Young’s future on Tuesday.

Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said the team is picking up the fifth-year option on Young’s contract. The option will be worth more than $26.5 million for the 2027 season, according to multiple reports.

If the Panthers had declined Young’s fifth-year option, it would have signaled that the team might have been looking to move in another direction.

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Panthers quarterback Bryce Young enters the field before the wild-card game against the Los Angeles Rams in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Jan. 10, 2026. (Jacob Kupferman/AP Photo)

The Panthers won the NFC South with an 8-9 record this year, while Young had the best season of his three-year career, a pivotal one for him. The 24-year-old was benched for six games last season after struggling.

The 2023 No. 1 overall pick came back and played better down the stretch after being benched, but 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 ground, Young rushed for 216 yards and two touchdowns.

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Panthers quarterback Bryce Young warms up for the Dallas Cowboys game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Oct. 12, 2025. (Cory Knowlton/Imagn Images)

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