​Quarterback Bryce Young is showing progress, with improvements becoming more evident, yet his dips remain more frequent than fans would like. As he enters his fourth season with the Carolina Panthers, Young faces a pivotal year that could determine whether the team commits to a long-term contract extension. If he keeps rising to meet expectations and demonstrates sustained development, the decision for general manager Dan Morgan should be straightforward: lock him in for the future. If the upward trajectory stalls, the Panthers may need to begin weighing other options at the position ahead of 2027.
In an ideal world, the best path forward would be to look toward the 2027 NFL Draft, which is stacked at the top with high-ceiling quarterbacks. However, head coach Dave Canales has shown a reluctance to groom a rookie quarterback, which could push the Panthers to explore other avenues. That line of thinking brings Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts into the mix as a potential target. Bleacher Report’s Brag Gagnon has suggested the Panthers as a potential landing spot for the former No. 4 overall pick, given the Colts’ current financial commitments and roster configuration.
Gagnon notes that the Colts are financially locked into Daniel Jones, and Richardson might have remained on their roster through the offseason while Jones recovered from a torn Achilles. With that in mind, potential destinations for Richardson include the Cardinals—particularly if a contract dispute involving Jacoby Brissett escalates—the Jets, the Steelers, the Cowboys, or the Panthers as premium trade or development options for 2027. Richardson, at 6-foot-4 and 244 pounds, arrived in the league with substantial hype due to his size and athleticism, a combination that once earned him a perfect 10.0 Relative Athletic Score, a mark that even matched Panthers legend Cam Newton.
Yet there is more to quarterbacking than raw physical traits. Newton, for all his extraordinary gifts, was a once-in-a-generation talent, and Richardson has shown compatibility issues at the professional level. His career numbers reflect that rough transition: a career completion rate around 50.6 percent, a 67.8 passer rating, and a quarterback rating near 46. Those numbers place him behind Daniel Jones in the pecking order of the Colts’ plans, and Richardson has only started 15 NFL games after 24 collegiate appearances at Florida. He remains early in his development arc and is unlikely to receive a full, extended opportunity in Indy, which leaves open the chance for a change in scenery elsewhere in the coming years.
The Panthers, meanwhile, did their homework on Richardson back in 2023 and could be lured by his long-term upside, potentially offering a Day 3 draft pick to take a chance on unlocking that ceiling. If Young stalls, Carolina might consider a strategic stash-option for 2027, using a future asset to secure a quarterback with the potential to be a franchise cornerstone.
For now, the Panthers’ immediate focus should be on maximizing Bryce Young’s growth within the framework of a competitive 2024 season and developing a sustainable approach for 2027. If Young can demonstrate consistent progress, the decision to extend him becomes clear-cut for the franchise. If not, the front office may have to chart a course that includes evaluating other options, including the possibility of a high-upside quarterback from the 2027 class or a targeted veteran addition to maintain the franchise’s competitive window.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers coverage and updates. This commentary originated on Panthers Wire, which also highlighted the Panthers as a potential trade target for a top-4 quarterback pick to enhance search visibility.