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Bryce Young could be in line for a big payday with Carolina.

Earlier this week, the Carolina Panthers exercised the fifth-year option for quarterback Bryce Young. 

The former No. 1 overall pick has been solid for Carolina over three years, throwing for 8,291 yards and 49 touchdowns. Now, general manager Dan Morgan said the next step is to lock up their franchise quarterback for years to come, but only when the time is right. 

“I’m actually signing his fifth-year option today, we’re picking that up. In terms of a long-term contract, that’s something that we’re talking about here internally, and we’ll do it at the right time,” Morgan said on Mad Dog Sports Radio.

While Young is still trying to put it all together entering Year 4, Morgan made it clear that Young is now finally on track with the right pieces in place. 

“Getting back to Bryce, obviously he came into a really rough situation in terms of coaching staff, maybe you could say the talent around him wasn’t great as well,” Morgan said. “So to come in as a rookie and come into a really tough situation where we had a coaching change, a lot of shuffling around the building, so for Coach Canales to come in here and provide stability, for him to be in the system now going on three years in a row, I think you see him just getting better and better every single year…So we really feel like the arrow is up with Bryce.”

Bryce Young’s Upward Trajectory Could Land Him a Big Contract From the Panthers

Young played well last year in Carolina, setting career-highs in yards, touchdowns and completion percentage. But while his trajectory is headed in the right direction, the Panthers may take these next two seasons of his rookie deal to truly confirm if they want to ink him to a $100+ million contract. 

While the numbers are improving, Young is still just 14-30 as a starter, and has never posted a QBR over 50. The Panthers are doing the diligent thing by being patient with Young. 

If Young regresses or fails to progress, the Panthers aren’t on the hook for a Tua Tagovailoa or Kyler Murray-sized contract. Meanwhile, if his upward trend continues, the call to shell out the money should be an easy one. 

Panthers Continue to Build Around Young

Carolina is doing everything they possibly can to help Young reach his full potential. Last year, they added Tetairoa McMillan in the first round, and this year went offense early again by taking tackle Monroe Freeling in the first. McMillan went on to win Rookie of the Year honors in 2025 and Freeling will be some big help up front. 

After the local product got drafted to his home team, Freeling expressed his excitement to stay home.

“I get to basically stay at home, and I didn’t do that through the college recruiting process, so I guess I owe it to my Carolina fans. I don’t even know if it’s set in quite yet that I’m staying home…I imagine that in the next 24 hours, maybe even the next week, it’s going to really hit me that I’m here and it’s everything I’ve ever wanted,” he said. 

After an 8-9 season, the Panthers are working towards something even bigger in 2026. That is, as long as Young can continue to improve alongside these other talents. 

Trevor Ripley Trevor Ripley is a Heavy writer covering the Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals. More about Trevor Ripley