Whether or not the Carolina Panthers will sign quarterback Bryce Young to a multiyear contract extension this offseason remains a hot topic hovering over the organization following the Memorial Day holiday. 

On Tuesday, Panthers head coach Dave Canales suggested that Young has emerged as the undisputed CEO of the club’s offense following the signal-caller’s first postseason appearance. 

Bryce Young now has “total command” of the Panthers offense?

“Just total command of the system and knowing what he’s looking for, the timing of things, and the more that he owns it, the more he’s looking for specific things out of the tight ends, wideouts, and backs as the concepts come alive,” Canales said about Young, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. “I just love it. I love the fact that he’s taking ownership, and the guys see that and rally around that, and something that they all appreciate.” 

Thus far, the Panthers have only appreciated Young enough to pick up the fifth-year option for 2027 attached to his rookie contract. While he was benched for poor play following the second game of Carolina’s 2024 season, how he handled that situation impressed coaches and teammates. 

More recently, the 2025 Panthers earned a playoff berth via tiebreaker advantage after they went 8-9. As for Young, Pro Football Reference stats show that he finished this past regular season tied for 25th in the league among qualified players with a 47.6 adjusted QBR and tied for 26th with an 87.8 passer rating. 

Panthers players now view Bryce Young as a true leader

For a piece posted on Wednesday, Joseph Person of The Athletic wrote that “Young will be trying to prove he’s worthy of a top-of-market contract as he enters his prime years.” Such a line could lead one to believe that Young won’t be receiving a lucrative extension this summer. 

Meanwhile, an Associated Press (h/t ESPN) article mentioned that Young let his teammates know during Tuesday’s OTA practice that “we need better execution” after wet footballs were dropped by receivers. 

“I think he’s a leader,” Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker said about Young. “He’s been a leader. We rally behind him. So I think he was just challenging us because he knows what he expects of us. And we have to answer that call. The rain was adversity. But sometimes it rains on Sunday, so you have to be able to push through that.”

How Carolina players rally behind Young once the games begin to matter in September could determine whether or not he is still the club’s QB1 at this time next year.