July 1, 2026, 8:03 a.m. ET<\/p>\n
For quarterback Bryce Young to sign his name on a new long-term pact with the Carolina Panthers<\/a>, he’ll have to prove that he’s worth it. But what exactly is “it” worth?<\/p>\n Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer just dropped his thoughts<\/a> on the outlook of a contract extension between Young and the Panthers. And Breer, one of the sport’s very top insiders, suggests the former No. 1 overall pick would have to catapult himself into some pretty lucrative territory:<\/p>\n The Panthers look poised to head into the fourth year of Bryce Young\u2019s contract, and it is, to be clear, a critical one for everyone involved. Yes, they\u2019ve exercised his fifth-year option for 2027 at $25.9 million. But if Young doesn\u2019t look like the kind of guy the team would want to invest a deal at more than $50 million per year in this fall, then Carolina will become a suitor for a quarterback next spring.<\/p>\n As Breer notes, the front office picked up<\/a> Young’s fifth-year option in the spring. That ties him to the organization for the next two seasons\u2014with a cap number of just over $12 million 2026 and $25.9 million in 2027.<\/p>\n Heading into the upcoming campaign, there are 12 quarterbacks who rake in an annual average of at least $50 million. That group is littered with All-Pros, Most Valuable Player award winners and Super Bowl champions\u2014starting at the top with Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes ($64 million) down to Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts ($51 million).<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n Now, given that the league’s salary cap has been experiencing a steady year-to-year increase<\/a>, $50 million in 2026 won’t look as hefty as $50 million in 2027 or 2028. Yesterday’s price is not today’s price\u2014so we will see more quarterbacks reach that mark in the coming seasons.<\/p>\n Whether or not Young will be one of them could soon be determined.<\/p>\n