Panthers make decision on QB Bryce Young's 5th-year option official

TL;DR

The Carolina Panthers have officially exercised the fifth-year option on QB Bryce Young, securing him under contract through 2027. This decision follows Young's impressive performance in 2025, where he achieved career highs in several passing statistics.

Key points

Panthers exercised Bryce Young's fifth-year option
Young's contract extended through 2027
Career highs in completion percentage, yards, touchdowns, and passer rating in 2025
Led Panthers to NFC South title and playoff berth
Opportunity for contract extension negotiations

Carolina PanthersBryce Young

The Carolina Panthers have officially locked down their starting quarterback for the next two seasons.

As announced on Wednesday, the team has exercised the fifth-year option on Bryce Young. Their decision, which was already made apparent by general manager and president of football operations Dan Morgan back in January, will keep the 24-year-old passer and former No. 1 overall pick under contract with the organization through 2027.

Young is fresh off his best pro campaign yet—having thrown for career-highs in completion percentage (63.6), yards (3,011), touchdowns (23) and passer rating (87.8) in 2025. He also helped lead the Panthers to their first NFC South title since 2015 and their first playoff berth since 2017.

Triggering Young's option could also give Carolina time to negotiate a potential contract extension. President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan spoke about that prospect earlier today.

"That's something that we're talking about here internally, and we'll do it at the right time," Morgan told Sirius XM's Adam Schein.

According to Over The Cap, Young's fifth-year option for 2027 will be worth approximately $25.9 million.

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Q&A

What does exercising Bryce Young's fifth-year option mean for the Panthers?

Exercising the fifth-year option means the Panthers have secured Bryce Young's contract for an additional year, extending his time with the team through 2027.

How did Bryce Young perform in the 2025 NFL season?

In the 2025 season, Bryce Young recorded career highs with a 63.6% completion rate, 3,011 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and an 87.8 passer rating.

What are the implications of Bryce Young's option for a potential contract extension?

Triggering Young's fifth-year option allows the Panthers time to negotiate a potential contract extension, as indicated by the team's president of football operations.