Overview
- At the Combine, coach Dave Canales said Carolina never entertained trade offers for Bryce Young and reiterated a deliberate, coach-driven development approach.
- The Panthers have exercised Young’s fifth-year option, securing him through 2026 while they evaluate timing for any long-term extension.
- Young posted 2025 career highs with 3,011 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and 63.6% completions as advanced metrics improved but remained modest (EPA per dropback -0.08; 42.6% success rate).
- For 2026, Canales and GM Dan Morgan plan to draft aggressively, target younger free agents and maintain a run-first identity after Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard combined for 1,587 rushing yards.
- GM Dan Morgan praised Young’s response to a 2024 benching and his return after Andy Dalton’s injury, a turnaround that preceded an NFC South title and a near-upset of the Rams.