Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said the front office is discussing a potential long-term contract for quarterback Bryce Young after picking up his fifth-year option.
"That's something that we're talking about here internally, and we'll do it at the right time," Morgan said earlier this week on Mad Dog Sports Radio.
Young now has two more years left on his rookie deal, and the fifth-year clause will give him a fully guaranteed salary of $25.9 million in 2027. He has a cap hit of just over $12 million in 2026 after being selected first overall in the 2023 draft.
The 24-year-old is coming off the best season of his career, throwing for 3,011 yards with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He helped the Panthers secure an NFC South title, the organization's first division crown since the 2015 campaign.
Young almost led Carolina to an upset victory over the Rams in the wild-card round, narrowly losing 34-31 after Los Angeles scored a game-winning touchdown with under a minute remaining. The signal-caller racked up 288 total yards and two touchdowns while posting a 71.4 quarterback rating in the contest.
Young ranked 33rd among 34 qualified quarterbacks in passer rating during his first two seasons in the league, according to TruMedia, but Morgan and the Panthers believe he is now heading in the right direction.
Morgan admitted Young came into a "really tough situation" that involved a coaching change and "a lot of shuffling around the building" in his rookie year.
"So for (head coach Dave Canales) to come in here and provide stability, for him to be in the system now going on three years in a row, I think you see him just getting better and better every single year," Morgan added.
"Understanding the offense, he's such a good processor, and a guy that's just a pleasure to have around the building every day. As you see him mature, you just see him become a better leader every single year. And the operation's getting faster every year. So we really feel like the arrow is up with Bryce."
No quarterback from the 2023 class has signed an extension with their respective clubs, including C.J. Stroud, who the Houston Texans selected second overall behind Young.
