The Carolina Panthers are navigating an intriguing offseason decision with their quarterback, Bryce Young. With the team picking up his fifth-year option, the door is open for a contract extension, though it seems unlikely to happen just yet.
Head coach Dave Canales, who made the tough call to bench Young back in 2024, shared his thoughts on the quarterback's future with the Panthers. Canales is optimistic about Young's development, saying, "If this thing comes to a crescendo, which I believe it will, if Bryce goes where I think he's going to go this year and continues to improve … we're going to have to make that [contract] decision."
Young wrapped up the 2025 season with solid stats: 3,011 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He also added 216 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. His leadership helped propel the Panthers to their first playoff appearance since 2017.
Drafted first overall in 2023, Young has accumulated 8,291 passing yards, 49 touchdowns, and 30 interceptions over his career, with an additional 718 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Canales remains confident in Young, stating, "I had never lost confidence in Bryce, the guy."
The Panthers' playoff journey ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round, but Young shone in his postseason debut, racking up 264 passing yards and two touchdowns-one through the air and one on the ground.
Reflecting on their journey since 2024, when Young was benched for Andy Dalton, Canales acknowledged the emotional challenges but emphasized the focus on daily improvement. "There was an emotional strain.
I could feel that," Canales noted. "But it's like, ‘OK, this is the decision that was made.
But how do we get better today?’ Bryce is wired that way."
With Young showing resilience and growth, the Panthers are poised to continue building around their young quarterback, aiming for sustained success in the coming seasons.