CBS Names Bryce Young the Carolina Panthers’ Best Contract Extension Candidate

In a move that’s sparking conversation across the NFL landscape, CBS Sports has named Bryce Young, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick and current Carolina Panthers quarterback, as the franchise’s top candidate for a contract extension. The recognition comes amidst a whirlwind of transition for the Panthers — one that has included dramatic roster moves, coaching changes, and a determined shift in organizational philosophy.

Young, whose rookie season was marked by turbulence, flashes of brilliance, and growing pains, now finds himself at the center of an unexpected conversation: not about whether he’ll keep his starting job, but whether Carolina should double down and commit to him long-term.

According to CBS analyst Cody Benjamin, Young is the player Carolina must prioritize, even in light of the recent blockbuster acquisition of Matthew Stafford.

“While many are quick to move on from Bryce Young after a rocky start, the smarter play may be committing to his development long-term,” wrote Benjamin. “He still has elite tools, a sharp football IQ, and leadership qualities you can’t teach.”

The article, which surveyed every NFL team’s top extension candidate, places Young in the spotlight — not only as a player worth investing in, but also as a potential face of the franchise if managed properly.

Why CBS Says Young Is the Extension Priority

Despite the chatter surrounding the Panthers’ quarterback room — especially after the arrival of veteran Matthew Stafford — CBS emphasized that Young remains the most valuable asset under 25 in the organization.

At just 23 years old, Young represents rare upside if he can adjust to the speed, physicality, and complexity of the NFL game. The article highlights several reasons for the extension recommendation:

Youth and Ceiling: Young still possesses a high developmental ceiling. His accuracy, pre-snap intelligence, and pocket presence were elite traits coming out of Alabama.
Cost Control: An early extension could allow the Panthers to get ahead of an exploding quarterback market. Locking him in now, before a breakout season, could yield long-term cap benefits.
Leadership and Work Ethic: Coaches and teammates consistently praise Young for his maturity, preparation, and calm under pressure — qualities that can’t be easily replaced.

“Quarterback is still the most important position in sports. Bryce Young hasn’t lost that potential just because of one hard season,” the article reads. “Carolina’s future might depend on how they handle his next contract.”

Bryce Young’s Rookie Struggles — and Growth

It’s impossible to talk about Young’s extension potential without acknowledging the context of his rocky rookie season in 2023. The Panthers finished 2–15, and Young struggled behind a porous offensive line, limited weapons, and a midseason coaching change that saw Frank Reich fired before December.

Young finished the year with 2,817 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, completing just under 59% of his passes. But the numbers don’t tell the full story.

Film analysts repeatedly pointed to Young’s:

Calm demeanor in collapsing pockets
Ability to diagnose coverages
Excellent touch on intermediate throws
Playmaking ability outside of structure

“Bryce was a surgeon in college because he was protected and had open receivers,” said NFL analyst Greg Cosell. “In Carolina, he had to be Houdini. And sometimes he was.”

By year’s end, despite the record, Young showed signs of adjusting. His December performances included multiple games with 100+ passer ratings, and his chemistry with rookie WR Jonathan Mingo began to emerge.

Panthers Leadership Still Believes in Young

Behind closed doors, the Panthers’ front office — including GM Dan Morgan and new head coach Dave Canales — still views Young as a future starter. While the acquisition of Stafford signals a win-now mentality, insiders insist it’s not a surrender on Young’s potential, but a strategic detour to buy him time.

“We love Bryce,” said Morgan. “He’s everything we hoped for in a leader. This year, we’re putting him in a position to grow without the burden of saving the franchise overnight.”

Canales, known for developing Geno Smith in Seattle and Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay, has a track record of helping quarterbacks reboot their careers. Sources say Canales pushed to retain Young and intends to tailor part of the offensive install to his strengths — even if he’s not the starter Week 1.

“Bryce has a future here,” Canales told reporters at OTAs. “That’s not just talk. We’re going to build that future brick by brick.”

Why Extend Young Now? The Economics

From a salary cap standpoint, extending Bryce Young before his fourth season could be a smart hedge. If he makes a leap in Year 2 or 3, his market value could skyrocket — especially in a league where even average starters are commanding $40–50 million per year.

If the Panthers extend him early — potentially offering a 4-year, $120 million extension with modest guarantees — they could:

Secure a franchise quarterback under market value
Create flexibility around Stafford’s short-term deal
Incentivize Young with long-term security

The CBS piece argues that locking in Young could also help stabilize the locker room dynamic, avoiding a year-to-year uncertainty that can fracture a team.

“You don’t want a QB controversy every season,” Benjamin writes. “You want a plan. Extending Young early gives Carolina a plan — whether he starts this year or next.”

Comparison to Similar Cases

Other quarterbacks who had slow starts but blossomed later include:

Tua Tagovailoa: Struggled early in Miami before blossoming under Mike McDaniel
Geno Smith: Written off for years before earning Comeback Player of the Year
Jared Goff: Dealt by the Rams, rejuvenated in Detroit and led the team to the playoffs

Even Josh Allen and Trevor Lawrence experienced growing pains before breaking out. The league has numerous examples where patience — paired with coaching — paid off.

Young’s early metrics, while modest, showed enough promise to justify a longer leash.

The Matthew Stafford Factor

The elephant in the room is Carolina’s acquisition of Matthew Stafford, a Super Bowl-winning veteran expected to start in 2025. Some fans interpret this as a signal that the team is done with Young. Insiders say it’s the opposite.

Stafford’s arrival is seen as:

A mentor opportunity for Young to learn from a cerebral, elite-level veteran
A bridge allowing Young to develop without being thrown to the wolves
A competitive motivator — pushing Young to rise to the challenge

Several sources indicate Stafford played a role in the Panthers’ decision to hold onto Young, expressing excitement about mentoring him.

“Stafford has been where Bryce is,” said an NFC assistant coach. “He can teach him about leadership, resilience, even how to survive losing seasons and come out stronger.”

Player Reaction and Bryce’s Mindset

To his credit, Bryce Young hasn’t flinched amid the noise. Following the Stafford trade, he released a statement:

“I’m here to work. I believe in myself, and I believe in this team. Whatever role I have this year, I’m going to own it and keep growing.”

Those close to Young say he’s already embraced offseason training with new coaches, is taking extra film study sessions, and has started building relationships with new offensive pieces like WR Tyler Boyd and RB Braelon Allen.

His maturity continues to win over teammates, many of whom advocate for him behind the scenes.

“He never complains,” said OL Ikem Ekwonu. “Dude takes hits, gets back up, learns, studies. He’s going to be a star — just needs time.”

Fan Reaction: Divided but Hopeful

Among Panthers fans, the idea of extending Bryce Young is controversial — but not without merit. Social media discussions have sparked passionate debates.

Supporters cite his intelligence, leadership, and the toxic situation he was thrown into as a rookie.
Critics argue he’s too small, too fragile, and already a bust.

Yet, with the Stafford safety net in place, many fans are starting to come around to the idea of keeping Young in the fold as a long-term option.

“If the plan is Stafford now, Bryce later — I’m in,” one Reddit user wrote. “But don’t give up on him. He’s too talented.”

A Defining Decision for Carolina’s Future

Ultimately, whether or not Carolina offers Bryce Young a contract extension in 2025 or 2026 will define this front office. It’s a gamble either way:

Let him play out his rookie deal, and he might walk — or become too expensive.
Extend him early, and if he flames out, you’re stuck paying a backup starter big money.

But CBS argues the reward outweighs the risk.

“Fortune favors the bold,” the article concludes. “In Bryce Young, Carolina still has a rare quarterback talent. The smart play isn’t moving on — it’s buying in.”

Betting on Bryce

Bryce Young may not be the present in Carolina’s quarterback room, but CBS believes he should still be the future. Extending him early sends a message: the Panthers are investing in talent, not just results. They’re playing the long game.

Whether that bet pays off will depend on Young’s work ethic, the stability of Canales’ system, and how well the team manages the transition between Stafford and Young over the next two seasons.

But if the Panthers are right — and Young realizes the potential that made him a No. 1 pick — then CBS’s bold declaration may one day be remembered not as premature, but prophetic.