Once the Carolina Panthers' season ends, the team will have a decision to make on quarterback Bryce Young.
That decision is whether or not to pick up Young's fifth-year option, which seems to be an easy decision for Carolina to make after finding its way to the playoffs this season.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Panthers are indeed expected to pick up Young's option, which will keep him with the team through at least 2027.
"Carolina is expected to pick up the fifth-year option on QB Bryce Young’s contract this off-season, which is typical," Schefter reported.
Over The Cap projects Young's fifth-year option will cost $26.5 million.
This was always the expected approach for Carolina, especially because no signal-caller taken with the No. 1 overall pick since 2011 has had their fifth-year option declined.
While that's cemented, Young getting a contract extension is not because the former No. 1 pick has had an up-and-down season.
After a strong finish to the 2024 season, Young has remains inconsistent. There are some points where he looks like a surefire franchise quarterback, and other times Young simply doesn't.
Winning a playoff game or two this year would go a long way toward helping Young's chances of sticking in Carolina for the long haul.
We would not expect the Panthers to lock Young up to a long-term deal in 2026 and instead the team will likely let him play out at least one more season before making the final decision on his future.
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