Panthers pick up QB Bryce Young’s fifth-year option. What it means for salary cap
Bryce Young will be under contract with the Carolina Panthers through at least the 2027 season.
More than three months after general manager Dan Morgan declared the team would pick up the quarterback’s fifth-year option on his rookie contract, the Panthers officially filed the decision with the NFL on Wednesday.
The team announced the move ahead of the Friday deadline to pick up fifth-year options for 2022 first-round picks.
Young, who is coming off a career year, threw for 3,011 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2025. He led the Panthers to their first NFC South title since 2015, as he produced an 8-8 record as a starter.
Young has a record of 14-30 as a starter during his first three seasons in the NFL.
What Young’s fifth-year option means for his future
Entering his fourth season with Carolina, Young now has some prolonged guaranteed money in his contract due to the fifth-year option. If Young excels in 2026, the Panthers will have a placeholder year in 2027 to negotiate a contract extension with the 2022 first overall pick.
In short, the move gives Young additional security, while offering leverage and protection to the organization in case the QB has a revelatory campaign during the upcoming season. Young won’t be able to hit free agency for two years, so the team and the player would benefit from reaching a long-term pact in case he continues to ascend.
Morgan told Sirius XM’s Adam Schein Wednesday that the team has internally discussed signing Young to an extension prior to the season.
What Young’s fifth-year option means for the salary cap
Young, who turns 25 in July, will count for around $12 million on the salary cap this season.
His fifth-year option in 2027 is projected to be worth roughly $25.9 million, according to Over The Cap. That total, which is fully guaranteed, will count in its entirety against the salary cap.
However, when compared to the salaries of other starting quarterbacks, Young’s fifth year is palatable. As it stands now, Young’s 2027 cap hit would be tied for 18th in the league, along with Houston’s C.J. Stroud, among quarterbacks, according to Over The Cap.
Miami’s Malik Willis, San Francisco’s Brock Purdy and Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield are all slated to make more than Young and Stroud — the No. 2 pick in 2022 — in 2027.
What Young’s fifth-year option means for the QB depth chart
The Panthers will have at least one QB under contract beyond this season. Young, now signed through 2027, is the only veteran signal-caller under contract beyond this year.
The team agreed to terms with former Georgia Tech QB Haynes King following the draft, The Charlotte Observer confirmed with a league source. King agreed to a three-year deal, which is the league the standard for an undrafted rookie contract.
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King will compete for the No. 3 QB job behind Young and backup Kenny Pickett this summer. However, the Panthers have shied away from keeping three passers on the 53-man roster throughout most of head coach Dave Canales’ tenure. So, King might be competing with Will Grier — a former Panthers draft pick and Davidson, N.C. native — for a practice squad spot in training camp.
If King is able to push for a 53-man roster gig, he could eventually become Young’s cost-effective, long-term backup. Pickett and Grier are signed to one-year pacts.
The Panthers traded longtime backup Andy Dalton to the Philadelphia Eagles in March.
