Bryce Young is still the Carolina Panthers’ quarterback, and the most likely outcome is that he keeps that job well beyond this season. But the door isn’t completely shut on a bigger swing down the line, and one name has popped up in that conversation: Baker Mayfield.
The idea is simple enough. Young has improved since his rookie year, and he’s clearly trending in the right direction. But he’s still not locked into 2027, and if his play slips against a brutal stretch of defenses - especially without Taylor Moton and Chris Brazzell - the Panthers could at least start thinking about alternatives.
That’s where Mayfield enters the picture. The former Panthers quarterback is in a contract standoff with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox said Carolina is one of five quarterback-needy teams that should be watching closely. Knox also noted there are “a couple of caveats” that apply to the Panthers in particular.
One of those is obvious: Carolina already has a starter. Another is financial.
Even if Young doesn’t land an extension, the fifth-year option complicates the idea of turning around and paying Mayfield a big deal in 2027. That would mean a hefty chunk of money tied up at quarterback.
Still, Knox pointed to the fit between Mayfield and head coach Dave Canales, writing, "If Young regresses, however, Carolina could heavily consider other options. Reuniting Mayfield and head coach Dave Canales-who was Mayfield's offensive coordinator in 2023-could make a ton of sense."
That connection matters because Mayfield had one of his best seasons under Canales, who helped turn him into a Pro Bowl quarterback after stops with the Browns, Panthers and Rams left him looking like a reclamation project. On top of that, none of the leadership from Mayfield’s rocky run in Carolina remains, aside from owner David Tepper. Knox also pointed out that the Panthers let Mayfield go after he asked for a release, clearing the way for his stint with the Rams and a possible reset.
Knox summed up the situation this way: "The Panthers are defending division champs, and if Young can build on what he accomplished last season, Carolina won't be in the quarterback market. However, the franchise should at least keep an eye on Mayfield just in case its current quarterback plan goes south," Knox concluded.
For now, this looks more like an idea than a real pursuit. If Mayfield plays himself into a $50 million contract, Carolina probably won’t go there.
If he doesn’t, he may not be impressive enough to push Young out of the picture anyway. So while the reunion makes for an interesting conversation, a Panthers-Mayfield reunion remains highly unlikely.
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