The Carolina Panthers picked up Bryce Young’s 5th-year option this morning. The former No. 1 pick has had an interesting first four years in the NFL. For someone who had green and red flags out of college, the Panthers have chosen to acquire his services for another season. Was this a good move, and what does this mean moving forward? Let’s dive into it!
Panthers Pick Up 5th-Year Option Option
Carolina has exercised its right to claim Bryce Young’s 5th-year option, valued at more than $26.5 million and fully guaranteed for the 2027 season. For a starting quarterback in the NFL, that is a bargain. Young is coming off the best season in his short career with 25 total touchdowns, 3227 total yards, and 15 total turnovers. The Panthers finished with an 8-9 record and won the NFC South for the first time since 2015.
Team Success
In terms of team success, there hasn’t been much outside of this season. In his rookie campaign, the team posted a horrendous 2-14 record. That marked the 3rd-worst record in Panthers’ history. The next two years, they showed some signs of life. In 2024, Carolina improved to 5-12. Still not great, but improvements in baby steps. This season is when it exploded. Young led the Panthers to an 8-8 record in the games he played. The team went 8-9 overall.
Individual Success
We saw flashes during his 2025 campaign of the player Young showed at Alabama. He had his best statistical season, while also tapping into the traits that enticed Carolina enough to draft him number one overall. To a certain extent, you have to believe that if he were your prototypical 6’2″ quarterback, he would be ‘the next one.’ The limitations of his height have been a hindrance, but he has learned to play with them throughout his whole life.
When Carolina drafted Tetairoa McMillan with the 8th pick in the NFL Draft, my first thought was, “This is exactly what they need.” Drafting a 6’5″ receiver for a quarterback who is accurate with a ‘good enough’ arm was a match made in heaven. There’s a reason why Tet set the franchise record for receiving yards by a rookie with 1,014. He is a future Pro Bowler in the league, and I can’t wait to see the connection he and Bryce have for the foreseeable future.
Would You Pay Bryce Young?
I would pay and extend him. When you draft a player number one, the objective is to see if he’s your franchise’s cornerstone player for the foreseeable future. I believe he’s the best quarterback since Cam Newton and should be in Carolina long term. Then the larger question arises: his contract and how much they will pay him.
I wouldn’t give him anything crazy or even close to the highest salary in the NFL. The Dallas Cowboys’ QB Dak Prescott makes the most annually at $60 million. What is Young worth? I’d offer him a 4-year $140 million deal. That’s $35 mil per year for a starting quarterback in the NFL. For a quarterback who has the talent to win his division and compete in the playoffs, that’s a hell of a bargain.
Final Thoughts
It was a no-brainer that the Panthers were going to pick up his 5th-year option. With the success he had this season, it appears that great things are brewing in Carolina. Where do you see Bryce Young in the hierarchy of quarterbacks, and would you pay him big money?
As always, thank you so much for checking out my thoughts and reaction to the Carolina Panthers picking up Bryce Young’s 5th-year option. Be sure to check out our other amazing content here at New Leaf News! We hope you’re enjoying your day and look forward to seeing you again soon.
