The NFL offseason is heating up as OTA practices get underway, with minicamps and training camps just around the corner. After a whirlwind free agency and draft period, teams are now laser-focused on shaping their rosters for a competitive 2026 season.

For the Carolina Panthers, the excitement is palpable. Coming off a surprising playoff run in 2025—where they nearly toppled the Los Angeles Rams at home in the Wild Card round—the franchise is riding a wave of momentum. At the heart of that resurgence is quarterback Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2023 NFL Draft.

This offseason, the Panthers exercised Young’s fifth-year option, and general manager Dan Morgan has hinted that the door is open for a long-term extension. But here’s the million-dollar question: Should Carolina lock in Young now, or wait to see how he performs in 2026 before committing big money?

Young’s journey has been a rollercoaster. After a rocky rookie season, he was briefly benched in his second year—a move that, in hindsight, may have been the turning point. Since returning from that benching in 2024, Young has thrown 38 touchdowns against just 17 interceptions, a massive leap from the 11 touchdowns and 13 picks he posted during his early struggles.

Still, the Panthers need to see more before handing out a mega-deal. Quarterback contracts are soaring—Dak Prescott leads the pack at $60 million per year, while mid-tier starters like Baker Mayfield hover around $33 million annually. Young’s camp will likely aim closer to Prescott’s territory, making patience a smart play.

Waiting until next offseason gives Carolina a clearer picture. If Young takes another leap in 2026, a lucrative extension is easy to justify. But if his progress stalls, the team won’t be stuck with a contract that’s tough to escape. For now, the smart money is on watching, waiting, and betting on Young to keep rising.