Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales reiterated his commitment to quarterback Bryce Young despite the organization not giving the fourth-year signal-caller an extension this offseason.
"He is right now," Canales told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith when asked if Young is their franchise quarterback. "He's our guy, and I love the trajectory that he's on.
"And not just the stuff that he's growing in - from just an operational standpoint, moving the offense, finding chemistry, and all that - but it's also just the critical moments. It's those games, it's the close games, it's the one-score game at the end."
Canales added that signing Young to a new contract is up to the front office and that his job is to help the former first overall pick "take the next step" on the field.
The Panthers exercised Young's fifth-year option in April, locking him under contract through the 2027 season. He's scheduled to have a $25.9-million cap hit in the final year of his rookie deal, according to Spotrac.
Young has been Carolina's primary starter over the last three seasons since entering the league as the top selection in the 2023 draft. In 16 starts last year, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner produced career highs in passing yards (3,011), completion percentage (63.6%), and passing touchdowns (23).
The 25-year-old ultimately led the Panthers to an NFC South division crown in 2025 and almost defeated the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round. Young thrived in his first playoff start, posting 288 total yards and two scores.
However, Young has struggled to establish himself as one of the league's premier quarterbacks after Carolina sent a haul of draft capital to move up and take him. He was benched during the 2024 season and ranks 34th in passer rating and EPA/dropback among 36 qualifying quarterbacks over the last three years, according to TruMedia.
"Whether we're up or down, I love having Bryce out there," Canales said. "I love that he stays cool, calm, and collected and aggressive, and he attacks at the right time. So, all those things are pointing in the right direction"
Carolina kicks off the 2026 season against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 13.
