Story bySTEVE REEDTue, January 13, 2026 at 11:41 PM UTC·2 min readCarolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said the team plans to pick up the fifth-year option on quarterback Bryce Young’s contract, but stopped short of saying whether the team will begin long-term contract extension discussions with the 2023 No. 1 overall pick. Once the team picks up the option, Young will be under contract through the 2027 season, so the Panthers aren’t in a huge rush to make a long-term decision on Young. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMorgan said he and executive vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis will meet to talk about whether to begin discussing a contract extension with Young this offseason or wait to see how the 2026 season plays out before making a long-term commitment. Morgan didn’t say when the team would make a decision on Young, who is 14-30 as a starter since coming into the league.“We are still talking through the roster and where things look from a big picture view,” Morgan said at his season-ending news conference on Tuesday. “That is still stuff that is up in the air that we are still working through at this point.”ALSO READ: Panthers’ success boosts Charlotte businesses; will it last?AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 24-year-old Young will cost the Panthers $12 million under the salary cap next season, and is estimated to make $26.5 million in 2027 once the team picks up the fifth-year option, per Overthecap. com. Young had a promising season in 2025, completing 63.6% of his passes for a career-high 3,011 yards with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
