Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Typically for first round quarterbacks, especially those selected first overall, the barometer for confidence by the front office is whether or not the fifth year option on their rookie contracts is picked up.
This week the Carolina Panthers landed on that very decision for Bryce Young. The beginning to Young’s career has been riddled with promising highs and steep lows. But after leading the franchise to its first playoff appearance 2017, general manager Dan Morgan made the call to pick up the option.
“I think Bryce did a great job this year and just really excited about moving forward and him still developing chemistry with our receivers, and just the pieces around him that we had,” Morgan said in the team’s announcement.
“If you look at Bryce on a day to day basis out there, his work ethic out there, his ability to command the huddle out there, take control of the line of scrimmage, make the proper checks, make the proper protection calls, and then really having that translate into Sunday or Saturday or whenever we play.
“I just felt like he had a lot more command out there this year, and really just kind of coming into his own and getting better every week, and just attacking every day. And that’s really all you can ask for just from any player, let alone your quarterback.”
Young had a career best season in year three throwing for 3,011 yards, 23 touchdowns and completing 63.6% of his passes as he led the Panthers to an NFC South Division title.
The Panthers season ultimately came to a close in the first round of the playoffs as it suffered a heartbreaking 34-31 loss to the Los Angeles Rams who led a game winning drive with just seconds remaining.
But with Young now securely in place along with the continued development of its receiving corps, the Panthers are poised to take another step forward in 2026.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
