Overview
- Carolina picked up Young’s fifth-year option in April, keeping him under team control through the 2027 season with a projected $25.9 million salary that year.
- Panthers executive Brandt Tilis said Monday that Young “ascended” last season but that his ceiling is still “unknown,” and he added the team will keep any extension talks internal.
- Head coach Dave Canales praised Young’s camp work, saying he is “playing so much faster,” and confirmed Young is the starter for 2026 though he will not play in the Hall of Fame preseason game.
- Delaying a long-term deal protects Carolina’s salary-cap flexibility because top quarterback extensions now average roughly $45 million to $50 million per year and would consume significant cap space.
- The immediate next steps are clear: watch Young’s on-field progress through 2026, measure how roster upgrades and coaching continuity affect his play, and consider tools like the franchise tag or a later extension if warranted.