Panthers to pick up quarterback Bryce Young’s option for 2027

Jan. 13 (UPI) — The Carolina Panthers plan to pick up the fifth-year option on quarterback Bryce Young’s contract, general manager Dan Morgan told reporters Tuesday.

Young, who achieved career-highs in passing yards (3,011), touchdowns (23) and wins as a starter (eight) this season, will now be under contract with the Panthers through 2027.

“I think Bryce has shown flashes of greatness this year against high-level competition,” Morgan said. “I think, as a team, we weren’t as consistent as we wanted to be on a game-to-game basis. But I think that’s part of what happens when you have a young team that’s building continuity and figuring themselves out.

“I think Bryce did a great job this year and I’m just really excited about him moving forward and him still developing chemistry with our receivers and just the pieces around him that we have.”

Listen to the Panthers’ President of Football Operations / General Manager Dan Morgan speak to the media. https://t.co/0z5mDPeYzp— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) January 13, 2026

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft signed a four-year, $37.95 million rookie contract. He is to make about $27 million on the fifth-year option of that deal.

Morgan said the Panthers are “still working through” potentially giving Young a contract extension before the end of his rookie pact.

Young, 24, completed 61.4% of his throws for 8,291 yards, 49 scores and 30 interceptions through his first three seasons. He also ran for 718 yards and eight scores through his first 46 appearances in the NFL.

Young completed a career-best 63.4% of his throws over 16 starts in 2025. He achieved the highest passer rating (87.8), highest touchdown percentage (4.8) and lowest sack percentage (5.35) of his career and won a career-best eight starts.

Pro Football Focus gave Young the 19th-best offensive rating among quarterbacks who were in for at least 50% of the maximum snaps played at the position in 2025. He received the 20th-best pass rating among qualifying players.

Morgan praised Young for his work ethic and improved command in 2025.

“I just felt like he had a lot more command out there this year and really coming into his own and getting better every week,” Morgan said. “Just attacking every day. That’s really all you can ask for from any player, let alone your quarterback.”