The Carolina Panthers are heading into the postseason as the only team with a losing record, as they finished 2025 with an 8-9 record. They face a tough challenge against the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card game on Saturday.

Ahead of their biggest game of the season so far, the Panthers have reportedly decided to pick the fifth-year option on quarterback Bryce Young’s rookie deal in the offseason, per NFL insider Adam Schefter.

“Carolina is expected to pick up the fifth-year option on QB Bryce Young’s contract this offseason, which is typical. As @EpKap pointed out, of the eight QBs picked No. 1 overall since 2011, there never has been a QB drafted No. 1 overall whose fifth-year option wasn’t picked up.”

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The decision will keep Young with the Panthers through at least 2027 despite an inconsistent 2025 season. The 24-year-old signal caller was selected by the Panthers with the first pick in the 2023 NFL draft. He had signed a four-year rookie contract, worth $37.9 million with an option for a fifth year.Panthers HC Dave Canales reflected on Bryce Young’s preparation for first playoff game

Saturday’s game against the Rams will be the Panthers’ first postseason game since 2017 and their first at Bank of America Stadium since 2015. When Carolina coach Dave Canales was asked about quarterback Bryce Young’s readiness for his first playoff game, Canales said:

“Bryce is really consistent in terms of his prep, our normal conversations throughout the week. He goes out there to practice and he just continues to lead the group and make sure we get to the right play. His demeanor stays pretty even, which is why he’s performed really well in critical situations, end-of-game situations, fourth down and those types of things.”

Young will hope for a better showing in the postseason as he finished the regular season ranked 21st in passing yards (3,011) and 20th in completion percentage (64).