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How much will QB Bryce Young's 5th-year option cost the Panthers?
TL;DR
The Carolina Panthers will soon exercise quarterback Bryce Young's fifth-year option, though the exact cost has not been disclosed yet. This decision comes as the team prepares for the upcoming NFL draft.
Carolina Panthers president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan spoke with reporters yesterday in preparation for next week's NFL draft. The conversation hit on more than just his plans for the selection process, including a discussion on the future of the team's greatest asset—starting quarterback Bryce Young.
While Young isn't a household name yet, he has made a lot of progress over the last two seasons following a dismal rookie year. Giving Young a lucrative long-term contract at this point would be premature, but he has at least earned his fifth-year option—which, per Morgan, will be officially exercised soon.
"Obviously, the player's not in the building yet. So, once Bryce gets in the building, and we're busy with the draft, it's offseason," Morgan stated. "So we'll get that done as soon as he gets back in the building."
So, how much will Young's option cost the Panthers?
The projected cost of a fifth-year option for Young's draft class comes in at just under $26 million, according to figures at Over The Cap.
That may sound like a lot to pay a relatively-unproven quarterback for one season, but keep in mind that the top 10 earners at the position are all making $50 million or more per year now.
Half of an elite QB's salary is fair for the level that Young has been playing at. However, the team could significantly cut into that number if they were to sign him to a long-term contract.
The key for Young earning that big deal will be consistency. He's put in several extremely impressive games in his career, especially in the regular-season win over the Los Angeles Rams and his 448-yard performance against the Atlanta Falcons in 2025.
As good as he looked in those games, they have been too few and far between. While his touchdown-to-interceptions ratio was solid, Young posted less than 200 passing yards in 12 of his starts last season.
Young needs to produce more than that to earn a long-term QB1 job at this level.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: How much will QB Bryce Young's 5th-year option cost the Panthers?
Q&A
What is the cost of Bryce Young's fifth-year option for the Panthers?
The exact cost of Bryce Young's fifth-year option has not been disclosed yet.
When will the Panthers officially exercise Bryce Young's fifth-year option?
The Panthers plan to exercise Bryce Young's fifth-year option soon after he returns to the building.
What are the implications of exercising Bryce Young's fifth-year option for the Panthers?
Exercising the fifth-year option allows the Panthers to retain Young for an additional year at a predetermined salary, providing them time to assess his long-term potential.
