Bryce Young just proved Panthers’ costly decision will be a smart one following his playoff debut against Los Angeles Rams
Bryce Young proved that he belongs in the biggest game of his career, and it came just hours after the Panthers decided on his future.
The Carolina Panthers may have lost to the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, but they proved what many questioned coming in: that they belonged. There never have been, and never will be, moral victories in the NFL.
However, there are learning lessons. Just hours before kickoff against the Rams, the decision-makers in Charlotte let it be known to NFL insiders that Bryce Young’s future was no longer up for debate, and he would go on to prove them right.
Bryce Young proves Panthers’ fifth-year option decision correct in playoff game vs. Rams
Just before kickoff in Charlotte, it was reported that the Panthers would be picking up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option, meaning they will be on the books for around $26.5 million come 2027. A first overall quarterback has never had his fifth-year option declined, but Carolina was telling everyone where they stood before the ball was ever kicked off.
If you just look at the box score from the game, you see a 52.5 completion percentage, 264 yards, a touchdown, an interception, and a 71.2 quarterback rating. That’s about as pedestrian as things can look in a stat sheet. But between the hashmarks, Young shone when the lightest we’re brightest.
Young kept the Panthers in the game after finding a connection with Jalen Coker in the second half, proving that he could meet the moment. After struggling mightily in his rookie season, Young was benched just two games into the 2024 season before rebounding down the stretch and using that momentum to create his best season yet in 2025.
Sure, the team finished under .500 yet again and won the NFC South via a three-way tiebreaker, but Young showed that, despite captaining a flawed football team, he has the mental and physical makeup to compete at the highest level in the NFL.
Now it’s all about leveling up the team around Young come the offseason. I spoke with Kole Noble, who contributes to A to Z Sports Carolina, about where the Panthers go from here.
Panthers have a huge offseason ahead of them
“A pivotal offseason is ahead for the Panthers under Dave Canales, but one thing is for sure: this team has its guy in Bryce Young. While the final drive didn’t live up to the late-game magic Young has shown during his first three seasons, it’s hard to say any of that was entirely his fault.”
“The Panthers stood absolutely no chance against the Rams’ defensive front while playing without two starters on the offensive line for the majority of the evening. And all year long, Young has been playing behind a rotating door up front. Once he gets some consistency there, he can be able to stay in the pocket and play within structure a lot more consistently.
“The other thing that can help elevate Young’s game is a real threat at the tight end position. It’s clear after Saturday’s game that he doesn’t have that security blanket in the passing game to turn to in key situations. Building up the rest of the offensive line and getting Young a real big-bodied weapon can help him, and this team, take that next step on offense in 2026.” – Noble
Carolina has improved year over year under Dave Canales, and with Young in Carolina for a minimum of two more seasons, it’s time to fully embrace No.9 as the starter and see how far he can take the franchise.
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