🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 84 (from laksa010)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa084.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7144268/2026/03/24/panthers-bryce-young-contract-talks/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7144268/2026/03/24/panthers-bryce-young-contract-talks/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7144268\/2026\/03\/24\/panthers-bryce-young-contract-talks\/","crawl_time":1774589962,"first_indexed_time":1774381261,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,nytimes!www,\/athletic\/7144268\/2026\/03\/24\/panthers-bryce-young-contract-talks\/ s443","src_root_hash":"4566504020376537684","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Brandt Tilis on Panthers QB Bryce Young: Still evaluating, no contract discussions - The Athletic","meta_descriptions":["The team's executive VP of football operations said the Panthers are between building and contending in roster construction."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Brandt Tilis didn’t offer up any new nuggets on if or when the Carolina Panthers could offer a contract extension to quarterback Bryce Young.\nBut Tilis, the team’s executive VP of football operations, was pleased with his evaluation of Young last summer, when he called the No. 1 pick from 2023\n“an ascending player.”\n“Nothing’s changed. I got the eval right. He was ascending. So, nailed that. I was happy about that,” Tilis said with a little smile Tuesday during a Zoom with reporters.\n“But we haven’t had any discussions with his agent about a contract. And any that we would have, we would just keep internal anyway. It’s still the same. Still evaluating and just curious to see where it all goes and very excited about Bryce and all that he brings to us.”\nYour browser does not support the video tag.\n0:02 \/ 0:27\nAfter a season in which Young established career highs in every major passing category, general manager Dan Morgan said in January the Panthers planned to\npick up Young’s fifth-year option\nfor 2027. Morgan was noncommittal when asked about a long-term extension for Young.\nThe Athletic\nhas reported the Panthers are\nnot expected to extend Young before the start of the 2026 season\n. But Tilis left all options open Tuesday.\n“I’d never rule anything out,” he said. “But I can’t tell you affirmatively yes or no.”\nYoung is set to make $12.1 million this season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. Young’s fifth-year option will be worth a guaranteed $25.9 million once exercised.\nLast spring, the Panthers picked up the fifth-year option for left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, who was drafted No. 6 in 2022. The two sides had discussed an extension before the 2025 season, which ended with Ekwonu rupturing his patellar tendon in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round.\nThe Panthers signed two offensive tackles in free agency as a stopgap while Ekwonu recovers from his surgery, which is expected to sideline him for at least part of the season. Tilis declined to comment when asked how Ekwonu’s injury could impact his contract. Ekwonu will make a guaranteed $17.6 million in the final year of his rookie contract.\nSpeaking more generally, Tilis said he views roster construction in three stages: building, contending and sustaining. The former Kansas City Chiefs executive believes the Panthers are somewhere between building and contending after winning the NFC South with an 8-9 record last season.\n“We’re still adding good players to our roster. We are more competitive than we have been in the past, and we can just see how it plays out from there,” he said.\nTilis said the Panthers might take more risks as they try to become contenders. He pointed to the recent restructuring of Derrick Brown’s contract, which created more salary-cap space while adding two voidable years to the end of Brown’s deal.\n“That’s something you wouldn’t necessarily do when you’re in a full-blown build,” Tilis said, “but something that you can do as you’re continuing your ascent up the mountain.”\nWith only $4.2 million in cap space,\naccording to Over the Cap\n, Tilis said the Panthers might have to restructure the contract of Jaycee Horn or other players so the team can sign its draft picks and maintain a reserve for in-season moves such as injury replacements.\nMar 27, 2026\nConnections: Sports Edition\nSpot the pattern. Connect the terms\nFind the hidden link between sports terms","attrs_markdown":"[![Premier League](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Premier League](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/premier-league\/)\n\n[![Champions League](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Champions League](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/champions-league\/)\n\n[![2026 Men's World Cup](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)2026 Men's World Cup](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/world-cup\/)\n\n[![Tennis](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Tennis](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/tennis\/)\n\n[![Formula 1](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Formula 1](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/formula-1\/)\n\n[![FA Cup](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)FA Cup](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/fa-cup\/)\n\n[![Cricket](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Cricket](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/cricket\/)\n\n[![La Liga](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)La Liga](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/la-liga\/)\n\n[![Europa League](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Europa League](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/europa-league\/)\n\n[![Women's Football](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Women's Football](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/womens-football\/)\n\n[![Olympics](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Olympics](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/olympics\/)\n\n[![Global Sports](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Global Sports](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/global-sports\/)\n\n[![Cycling](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Cycling](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/cycling\/)\n\n[![Sailing](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Sailing](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/sailing\/)\n\n[![Sports Business](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Sports Business](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/sports-business\/)\n\n[![Boxing](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Boxing](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/boxing\/)\n\n[![Golf](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Golf](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/golf\/)\n\n[![Serie A](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Serie A](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/serie-a\/)\n\n[![Bundesliga](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Bundesliga](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/bundesliga\/)\n\n[![International 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Euros](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/womens-euros\/)\n\n[![NWSL](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)NWSL](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/nwsl\/)\n\n[![College Sports](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)College 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Athletic](data:image\/svg+xml;base64,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)](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/uk\/)\n\n[![NFL](https:\/\/cdn-league-logos.theathletic.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=48%2Cquality=70%2Cformat=auto\/https:\/\/cdn-league-logos.theathletic.com\/league-2-color@2x.png) 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North\n\n[![Bengals](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Bengals](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/bengals\/)\n\n[![Browns](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Browns](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/browns\/)\n\n[![Ravens](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Ravens](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/ravens\/)\n\n[![Steelers](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Steelers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/steelers\/)\n\nAFC South\n\n[![Colts](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Colts](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/colts\/)\n\n[![Jaguars](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Jaguars](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/jaguars\/)\n\n[![Texans](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Texans](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/texans\/)\n\n[![Titans](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Titans](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/titans\/)\n\nAFC West\n\n[![Broncos](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Broncos](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/broncos\/)\n\n[![Chargers](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Chargers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/chargers\/)\n\n[![Chiefs](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Chiefs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/chiefs\/)\n\n[![Raiders](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Raiders](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/raiders\/)\n\nNFC East\n\n[![Commanders](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Commanders](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/commanders\/)\n\n[![Cowboys](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Cowboys](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/cowboys\/)\n\n[![Eagles](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Eagles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/eagles\/)\n\n[![Giants](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Giants](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/giants\/)\n\nNFC North\n\n[![Bears](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Bears](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/bears\/)\n\n[![Lions](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Lions](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/lions\/)\n\n[![Packers](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Packers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/packers\/)\n\n[![Vikings](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Vikings](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/vikings\/)\n\nNFC South\n\n[![Buccaneers](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Buccaneers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/buccaneers\/)\n\n[![Falcons](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Falcons](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/falcons\/)\n\n[![Panthers](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Panthers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/panthers\/)\n\n[![Saints](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Saints](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/saints\/)\n\nNFC West\n\n[![49ers](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)49ers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/niners\/)\n\n[![Cardinals](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Cardinals](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/ari-cardinals\/)\n\n[![Rams](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Rams](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/rams\/)\n\n[![Seahawks](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Seahawks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/seahawks\/)\n\n• • •\n\n[![Scores & Schedule](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Scores & Schedule](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/schedule\/)\n\n[![Standings](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Standings](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/standings\/)\n\n[![Fantasy](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Fantasy](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/fantasy\/football\/)\n\n[![NFL Odds](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)NFL Odds](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/odds\/)\n\n[![NFL Picks](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)NFL Picks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/picks\/)\n\n[![NFL Draft](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)NFL Draft](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/draft\/)\n\n[![Podcasts](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Podcasts](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/podcasts\/nfl\/)\n\n[![Scoop City Newsletter](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Scoop City Newsletter](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/tag\/scoop-city\/)\n\n[![Beat Writer Mock Draft](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Beat Writer Mock Draft](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7125848\/2026\/03\/19\/nfl-mock-draft-2026-beat-writer\/)\n\n[![Free Agency Tracker](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Free Agency Tracker](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7058500\/2026\/03\/05\/nfl-free-agent-tracker-rankings-2026\/)\n\n[![Best Available](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Best Available](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7091448\/2026\/03\/09\/best-available-nfl-free-agents-2026\/)\n\n[![NFL Draft Order](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)NFL Draft Order](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7104381\/2026\/03\/10\/nfl-draft-order-2026-round-by-round\/)\n\n[![Top 100 Draft Prospects](data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACw=)Top 100 Draft Prospects](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7009839\/2026\/02\/10\/nfl-draft-2026-rankings-prospects\/)\n\n[Log In](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/login2\/?ref_page=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fathletic%2F7144268%2F2026%2F03%2F24%2Fpanthers-bryce-young-contract-talks%2F&login_source=site_nav&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fathletic%2F7144268%2F2026%2F03%2F24%2Fpanthers-bryce-young-contract-talks%2F)\n\n2026 NFL\n\nFree Agency\n\n[Winners & Losers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7116434\/2026\/03\/17\/nfl-free-agency-2026-winners-loses-ravens-raiders\/)\n\n[Remaining Team Needs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7114161\/2026\/03\/14\/2026-free-agency-team-needs-players\/)\n\n[Grading Deals](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7093735\/2026\/03\/09\/nfl-free-agency-grades-2026\/)\n\n[Best Available](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7091448\/2026\/03\/09\/best-available-nfl-free-agents-2026\/)\n\n[Top 150 Tracker](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7058500\/2026\/03\/05\/nfl-free-agent-tracker-rankings-2026\/)\n\n# Brandt Tilis on Panthers QB Bryce Young: Still evaluating, no contract discussions\n![Bryce Young \\#9 of the Carolina Panthers scrambles against the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Bank of America Stadium on Jan. 10, 2026.](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2026\/03\/24151341\/GettyImages-2255595640-1024x682.jpg?width=1920&quality=70&auto=webp)\n\nBryce Young, who went 8-8 as a starter last season, is entering his fourth year as Carolina's starting QB. Jared C. Tilton \/ Getty Images\n\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2740%27%20height=%2740%27\/%3e)![Joseph Person](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2020\/04\/13223022\/HS_Square_0036_20200227Person-Joseph0616_bw.jpg?width=96&quality=70&auto=webp) ![Joseph Person](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2020\/04\/13223022\/HS_Square_0036_20200227Person-Joseph0616_bw.jpg?width=96&quality=70&auto=webp)](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/author\/joseph-person\/)\n\nBy\n\n[Joseph Person](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/author\/joseph-person\/)\n\nMarch 24, 2026\n\nShare full article\n\n21\n\nCHARLOTTE, N.C. — Brandt Tilis didn’t offer up any new nuggets on if or when the Carolina Panthers could offer a contract extension to quarterback Bryce Young.\n\nBut Tilis, the team’s executive VP of football operations, was pleased with his evaluation of Young last summer, when he called the No. 1 pick from 2023 [“an ascending player.”](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/6525351\/2025\/07\/30\/panthers-bryce-young-contract-situation\/)\n\nAdvertisement\n\n“Nothing’s changed. I got the eval right. He was ascending. So, nailed that. I was happy about that,” Tilis said with a little smile Tuesday during a Zoom with reporters.\n\n“But we haven’t had any discussions with his agent about a contract. And any that we would have, we would just keep internal anyway. It’s still the same. Still evaluating and just curious to see where it all goes and very excited about Bryce and all that he brings to us.”\n\nYour browser does not support the video tag.\n\n![Pause](data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMzIiIGhlaWdodD0iMzIiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAzMiAzMiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHJlY3QgeD0iMTEuMjAwNiIgeT0iOCIgd2lkdGg9IjMuMiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNS4yIiBmaWxsPSJ3aGl0ZSIvPgo8cmVjdCB4PSIxOS4yMDA3IiB5PSI4IiB3aWR0aD0iMy4yIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE1LjIiIGZpbGw9IndoaXRlIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=)\n\n0:02 \/ 0:27\n\n![Mute](data:image\/svg+xml;base64,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)\n\n![Share](data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMzIiIGhlaWdodD0iMzIiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAzMiAzMiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTE4LjczMzMgMTAuODY2N0M4LjQ2NjY3IDEyLjMzMzMgNC4wNjY2NyAxOS42NjY3IDIuNiAyN0M2LjI2NjY3IDIxLjg2NjcgMTEuNCAxOS41MiAxOC43MzMzIDE5LjUyVjI1LjUzMzNMMjkgMTUuMjY2N0wxOC43MzMzIDVWMTAuODY2N1pNMjYuNTExMyAxNS4yNjY3TDIwLjQ5MzMgMjEuMjg0NlYxNy43NkgxOC43MzMzQzEzLjk4MzUgMTcuNzYgMTAuMDAzMiAxOC43MDUgNi42OTg2NSAyMC43MzExQzcuMjY2NCAxOS43MjE0IDcuOTI1OTcgMTguNzY2NCA4LjY5MTI1IDE3Ljg5MThDMTAuOTczMyAxNS4yODM4IDE0LjI1NDcgMTMuMjg0OSAxOC45ODIgMTIuNjA5NUwyMC40OTMzIDEyLjM5MjlWOS4yNDg3NUwyNi41MTEzIDE1LjI2NjdaIiBmaWxsPSJ3aGl0ZSIvPgo8L3N2Zz4K)\n\n![Fullscreen](data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMzIiIGhlaWdodD0iMzIiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAzMiAzMiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZmlsbC1ydWxlPSJldmVub2RkIiBjbGlwLXJ1bGU9ImV2ZW5vZGQiIGQ9Ik0yMy40NjY3IDEzLjg2NjdWOC41MzMzNkwxOC4xMzM0IDguNTMzMzZWNi40MDAwMkgyNS42VjEzLjg2NjdIMjMuNDY2N1pNOC41MzMzNiAxOC4xMzM0VjIzLjQ2NjdIMTMuODY2N1YyNS42SDYuNDAwMDJWMTguMTMzNEg4LjUzMzM2Wk0yMy40NjY3IDIzLjQ2NjdIMTguMTMzNFYyNS42TDI1LjYgMjUuNlYxOC4xMzM0SDIzLjQ2NjdWMjMuNDY2N1pNMTMuODY2NyA4LjUzMzM2TDguNTMzMzcgOC41MzMzNkw4LjUzMzM3IDEzLjg2NjdINi40MDAwM0w2LjQwMDAzIDYuNDAwMDJIMTMuODY2N1Y4LjUzMzM2WiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9zdmc+Cg==)\n\n![](data:image\/svg+xml;base64,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)\n\nAfter a season in which Young established career highs in every major passing category, general manager Dan Morgan said in January the Panthers planned to [pick up Young’s fifth-year option](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/6966315\/2026\/01\/13\/bryce-young-fifth-year-option-panthers\/) for 2027. Morgan was noncommittal when asked about a long-term extension for Young.\n\n*The Athletic* has reported the Panthers are [not expected to extend Young before the start of the 2026 season](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/6983537\/2026\/01\/20\/panthers-bryce-young-future-contract\/). But Tilis left all options open Tuesday.\n\n“I’d never rule anything out,” he said. “But I can’t tell you affirmatively yes or no.”\n\nYoung is set to make \\$12.1 million this season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. Young’s fifth-year option will be worth a guaranteed \\$25.9 million once exercised.\n\nLast spring, the Panthers picked up the fifth-year option for left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, who was drafted No. 6 in 2022. The two sides had discussed an extension before the 2025 season, which ended with Ekwonu rupturing his patellar tendon in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round.\n\nThe Panthers signed two offensive tackles in free agency as a stopgap while Ekwonu recovers from his surgery, which is expected to sideline him for at least part of the season. Tilis declined to comment when asked how Ekwonu’s injury could impact his contract. Ekwonu will make a guaranteed \\$17.6 million in the final year of his rookie contract.\n\nSpeaking more generally, Tilis said he views roster construction in three stages: building, contending and sustaining. The former Kansas City Chiefs executive believes the Panthers are somewhere between building and contending after winning the NFC South with an 8-9 record last season.\n\nAdvertisement\n\n“We’re still adding good players to our roster. We are more competitive than we have been in the past, and we can just see how it plays out from there,” he said.\n\nTilis said the Panthers might take more risks as they try to become contenders. He pointed to the recent restructuring of Derrick Brown’s contract, which created more salary-cap space while adding two voidable years to the end of Brown’s deal.\n\n“That’s something you wouldn’t necessarily do when you’re in a full-blown build,” Tilis said, “but something that you can do as you’re continuing your ascent up the mountain.”\n\nWith only \\$4.2 million in cap space, [according to Over the Cap](https:\/\/overthecap.com\/salary-cap-space), Tilis said the Panthers might have to restructure the contract of Jaycee Horn or other players so the team can sign its draft picks and maintain a reserve for in-season moves such as injury replacements.\n\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2740%27%20height=%2740%27\/%3e)![Joseph Person](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2020\/04\/13223022\/HS_Square_0036_20200227Person-Joseph0616_bw.jpg?width=96&quality=70&auto=webp)](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/author\/joseph-person\/)\n\nBy\n\n[Joseph Person](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/author\/joseph-person\/)\n\nSenior Writer, Panthers\n\nTagged To:\n\n[Bryce Young](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/bryce-young-jNeXr4xrk9yhH7P4\/)\n\n[NFL](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/)\n\n[Carolina Panthers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/panthers\/)\n\nYour Next Read\n\n[Rams’ Puka Nacua sued for allegedly making antisemitic comment, biting women](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7149049\/2026\/03\/26\/rams-puka-nacua-lawsuit-antisemitic-biting-woman\/)\n\n[NFL’s competition committee proposes 5 rule changes, including 3 regarding kickoffs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7144799\/2026\/03\/24\/nfl-competition-committee-proposed-rule-changes\/)\n\n[What are the Philadelphia Eagles’ future stadium plans? 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What are the match-ups in the finals?](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7149592\/2026\/03\/26\/world-cup-playoffs-italy-sweden-finals\/)\n\n[Forest considering formal complaint to Premier League over Chelsea punishment](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7149691\/2026\/03\/26\/chelsea-nottingham-forest-punishment-premier-league\/)\n\n[White 'clearing the air' with England team-mates over World Cup exit - Tuchel](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7149925\/2026\/03\/26\/ben-white-england-thomas-tuchel\/)\n\n![](data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxMCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDI0IDI0IiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPgo8cGF0aCBkPSJNMjQgMS45NTU1OUwxMC41MjQ3IDIxTDAgMTMuMjczTDEuOTYwMzEgMTAuNTUyTDkuNzY2NDggMTYuMjgzMUwyMS4yODc5IDBMMjQgMS45NTU1OVoiIGZpbGw9IiMwMDAwMDAiPjwvcGF0aD4KPC9zdmc+Cg==)\n\n![Connections: Sports Edition Logo](data:image\/png;base64,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)\n\n![Connections: Sports Edition Logo](data:image\/png;base64,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)\n\nMar 27, 2026\n\n## Connections: Sports Edition\nSpot the pattern. Connect the terms\n\nFind the hidden link between sports terms\n\nPlay today's puzzle\n\n![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%27100%27%20height=%27100%27\/%3e)![Joseph Person](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2020\/04\/13223022\/HS_Square_0036_20200227Person-Joseph0616_bw.jpg?width=256&quality=70&auto=webp)\n\n![Joseph Person](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2020\/04\/13223022\/HS_Square_0036_20200227Person-Joseph0616_bw.jpg?width=256&quality=70&auto=webp)\n\n**[Joseph Person](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/author\/joseph-person\/)** is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Carolina Panthers. He has covered the team since 2010, previously for the Charlotte Observer. A native of Williamsport, Pa., Joe is a graduate of William & Mary, known for producing presidents and NFL head coaches. He was voted North Carolina's Sportswriter of the Year in 2022 by the National Sports Media Association. Follow Joseph on Twitter **[@josephperson](https:\/\/twitter.com\/josephperson)**\n\nCOMMENTS\n\n21\n\nE\n\nEdward G.\n\n· Tue\n\nThe only way they would offer him an extension now is if he was willing to sign one far below the general market value for a first round pick QB. I don’t see him doing that, and he hasn’t played well enough up to this point in his career to get the kind of massive contract that comes with the first round pick QB territory.   \n  \nWe’ve reached a point where either he takes a leap this season and earns that kind of extension or the Panthers are probably drafting a QB next year. It’s hard for me to see a scenario where he’s willing to sign an extension that would not pay \\$40+ million a year due to his status as the \\#1 overall pick, and the Panthers aren’t going to offer that without better play.\n***\n\nJ\n\nJim J.\n\n· Tue\n\nIt would be a big mistake to sign Bryce at around \\$50 million per year. He doesn't elevate the team in any kind of way.\n***\n\nP\n\nPaul S.\n\n· Tue\n\nSigning him to a big money deal would be an unacceptably large risk. He's shown some short flashes but his overall body of work has him as an average QB, maybe a tick below.\n\nView all comments\n\nNational\n\n[Boxing](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/boxing\/)\n\n[Bundesliga](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/bundesliga\/)\n\n[Champions League](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/champions-league\/)\n\n[Championship](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/efl-championship\/)\n\n[College Football](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/college-football\/)\n\n[College Sports](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/college-sports\/)\n\n[Copa America](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/copa-america\/)\n\n[Copa del Rey](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/copa-del-rey\/)\n\n[Cricket](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/cricket\/)\n\n[Culture](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/culture\/)\n\n[Cycling](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/cycling\/)\n\n[Europa 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Store](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/logos\/team\/appstore-ios.png?width=256&quality=70&format=auto)](https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/the-athletic-sports-news\/id1135216317)\n\n[![](data:image\/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%27100%27%20height=%2730%27\/%3e)![Get it on Google Play](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/logos\/team\/appstore-android.png?width=256&quality=70&format=auto) ![Get it on Google Play](https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/logos\/team\/appstore-android.png?width=256&quality=70&format=auto)](https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.theathletic)","attrs_readable_markdown":"CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Brandt Tilis didn’t offer up any new nuggets on if or when the Carolina Panthers could offer a contract extension to quarterback Bryce Young.\n\nBut Tilis, the team’s executive VP of football operations, was pleased with his evaluation of Young last summer, when he called the No. 1 pick from 2023 [“an ascending player.”](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/6525351\/2025\/07\/30\/panthers-bryce-young-contract-situation\/)\n\n“Nothing’s changed. I got the eval right. He was ascending. So, nailed that. I was happy about that,” Tilis said with a little smile Tuesday during a Zoom with reporters.\n\n“But we haven’t had any discussions with his agent about a contract. And any that we would have, we would just keep internal anyway. It’s still the same. Still evaluating and just curious to see where it all goes and very excited about Bryce and all that he brings to us.”\n\nYour browser does not support the video tag.\n\n0:02 \/ 0:27\n\nAfter a season in which Young established career highs in every major passing category, general manager Dan Morgan said in January the Panthers planned to [pick up Young’s fifth-year option](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/6966315\/2026\/01\/13\/bryce-young-fifth-year-option-panthers\/) for 2027. Morgan was noncommittal when asked about a long-term extension for Young.\n\n*The Athletic* has reported the Panthers are [not expected to extend Young before the start of the 2026 season](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/6983537\/2026\/01\/20\/panthers-bryce-young-future-contract\/). But Tilis left all options open Tuesday.\n\n“I’d never rule anything out,” he said. “But I can’t tell you affirmatively yes or no.”\n\nYoung is set to make \\$12.1 million this season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. Young’s fifth-year option will be worth a guaranteed \\$25.9 million once exercised.\n\nLast spring, the Panthers picked up the fifth-year option for left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, who was drafted No. 6 in 2022. The two sides had discussed an extension before the 2025 season, which ended with Ekwonu rupturing his patellar tendon in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round.\n\nThe Panthers signed two offensive tackles in free agency as a stopgap while Ekwonu recovers from his surgery, which is expected to sideline him for at least part of the season. Tilis declined to comment when asked how Ekwonu’s injury could impact his contract. Ekwonu will make a guaranteed \\$17.6 million in the final year of his rookie contract.\n\nSpeaking more generally, Tilis said he views roster construction in three stages: building, contending and sustaining. The former Kansas City Chiefs executive believes the Panthers are somewhere between building and contending after winning the NFC South with an 8-9 record last season.\n\n“We’re still adding good players to our roster. We are more competitive than we have been in the past, and we can just see how it plays out from there,” he said.\n\nTilis said the Panthers might take more risks as they try to become contenders. He pointed to the recent restructuring of Derrick Brown’s contract, which created more salary-cap space while adding two voidable years to the end of Brown’s deal.\n\n“That’s something you wouldn’t necessarily do when you’re in a full-blown build,” Tilis said, “but something that you can do as you’re continuing your ascent up the mountain.”\n\nWith only \\$4.2 million in cap space, [according to Over the Cap](https:\/\/overthecap.com\/salary-cap-space), Tilis said the Panthers might have to restructure the contract of Jaycee Horn or other players so the team can sign its draft picks and maintain a reserve for in-season moves such as injury replacements.\n\n![](data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxMCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDI0IDI0IiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPgo8cGF0aCBkPSJNMjQgMS45NTU1OUwxMC41MjQ3IDIxTDAgMTMuMjczTDEuOTYwMzEgMTAuNTUyTDkuNzY2NDggMTYuMjgzMUwyMS4yODc5IDBMMjQgMS45NTU1OVoiIGZpbGw9IiMwMDAwMDAiPjwvcGF0aD4KPC9zdmc+Cg==)\n\n![Connections: 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URL	https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7144268/2026/03/24/panthers-bryce-young-contract-talks/
Last Crawled	2026-03-27 05:39:22 (24 days ago)
First Indexed	2026-03-24 19:41:01 (27 days ago)
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	Brandt Tilis on Panthers QB Bryce Young: Still evaluating, no contract discussions - The Athletic
Meta Description	The team's executive VP of football operations said the Panthers are between building and contending in roster construction.
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Brandt Tilis didn’t offer up any new nuggets on if or when the Carolina Panthers could offer a contract extension to quarterback Bryce Young. But Tilis, the team’s executive VP of football operations, was pleased with his evaluation of Young last summer, when he called the No. 1 pick from 2023 “an ascending player.” “Nothing’s changed. I got the eval right. He was ascending. So, nailed that. I was happy about that,” Tilis said with a little smile Tuesday during a Zoom with reporters. “But we haven’t had any discussions with his agent about a contract. And any that we would have, we would just keep internal anyway. It’s still the same. Still evaluating and just curious to see where it all goes and very excited about Bryce and all that he brings to us.” Your browser does not support the video tag. 0:02 / 0:27 After a season in which Young established career highs in every major passing category, general manager Dan Morgan said in January the Panthers planned to pick up Young’s fifth-year option for 2027. Morgan was noncommittal when asked about a long-term extension for Young. The Athletic has reported the Panthers are not expected to extend Young before the start of the 2026 season . But Tilis left all options open Tuesday. “I’d never rule anything out,” he said. “But I can’t tell you affirmatively yes or no.” Young is set to make $12.1 million this season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. Young’s fifth-year option will be worth a guaranteed $25.9 million once exercised. Last spring, the Panthers picked up the fifth-year option for left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, who was drafted No. 6 in 2022. The two sides had discussed an extension before the 2025 season, which ended with Ekwonu rupturing his patellar tendon in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round. The Panthers signed two offensive tackles in free agency as a stopgap while Ekwonu recovers from his surgery, which is expected to sideline him for at least part of the season. Tilis declined to comment when asked how Ekwonu’s injury could impact his contract. Ekwonu will make a guaranteed $17.6 million in the final year of his rookie contract. Speaking more generally, Tilis said he views roster construction in three stages: building, contending and sustaining. The former Kansas City Chiefs executive believes the Panthers are somewhere between building and contending after winning the NFC South with an 8-9 record last season. “We’re still adding good players to our roster. We are more competitive than we have been in the past, and we can just see how it plays out from there,” he said. Tilis said the Panthers might take more risks as they try to become contenders. He pointed to the recent restructuring of Derrick Brown’s contract, which created more salary-cap space while adding two voidable years to the end of Brown’s deal. “That’s something you wouldn’t necessarily do when you’re in a full-blown build,” Tilis said, “but something that you can do as you’re continuing your ascent up the mountain.” With only $4.2 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap , Tilis said the Panthers might have to restructure the contract of Jaycee Horn or other players so the team can sign its draft picks and maintain a reserve for in-season moves such as injury replacements. Mar 27, 2026 Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms
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Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2740%27%20height=%2740%27/%3e)![Joseph Person](https://static01.nyt.com/athletic/uploads/wp/2020/04/13223022/HS_Square_0036_20200227Person-Joseph0616_bw.jpg?width=96&quality=70&auto=webp) ![Joseph Person](https://static01.nyt.com/athletic/uploads/wp/2020/04/13223022/HS_Square_0036_20200227Person-Joseph0616_bw.jpg?width=96&quality=70&auto=webp)](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/joseph-person/) By [Joseph Person](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/joseph-person/) March 24, 2026 Share full article 21 CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Brandt Tilis didn’t offer up any new nuggets on if or when the Carolina Panthers could offer a contract extension to quarterback Bryce Young. But Tilis, the team’s executive VP of football operations, was pleased with his evaluation of Young last summer, when he called the No. 1 pick from 2023 [“an ascending player.”](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6525351/2025/07/30/panthers-bryce-young-contract-situation/) Advertisement “Nothing’s changed. I got the eval right. He was ascending. So, nailed that. I was happy about that,” Tilis said with a little smile Tuesday during a Zoom with reporters. “But we haven’t had any discussions with his agent about a contract. And any that we would have, we would just keep internal anyway. It’s still the same. Still evaluating and just curious to see where it all goes and very excited about Bryce and all that he brings to us.” Your browser does not support the video tag. ![Pause](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMzIiIGhlaWdodD0iMzIiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAzMiAzMiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHJlY3QgeD0iMTEuMjAwNiIgeT0iOCIgd2lkdGg9IjMuMiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNS4yIiBmaWxsPSJ3aGl0ZSIvPgo8cmVjdCB4PSIxOS4yMDA3IiB5PSI4IiB3aWR0aD0iMy4yIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE1LjIiIGZpbGw9IndoaXRlIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) 0:02 / 0:27 ![Mute](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ![Share](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ![Fullscreen](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ![](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) After a season in which Young established career highs in every major passing category, general manager Dan Morgan said in January the Panthers planned to [pick up Young’s fifth-year option](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6966315/2026/01/13/bryce-young-fifth-year-option-panthers/) for 2027. Morgan was noncommittal when asked about a long-term extension for Young. The Athletic has reported the Panthers are [not expected to extend Young before the start of the 2026 season](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6983537/2026/01/20/panthers-bryce-young-future-contract/). But Tilis left all options open Tuesday. “I’d never rule anything out,” he said. “But I can’t tell you affirmatively yes or no.” Young is set to make \$12.1 million this season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. Young’s fifth-year option will be worth a guaranteed \$25.9 million once exercised. Last spring, the Panthers picked up the fifth-year option for left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, who was drafted No. 6 in 2022. The two sides had discussed an extension before the 2025 season, which ended with Ekwonu rupturing his patellar tendon in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round. The Panthers signed two offensive tackles in free agency as a stopgap while Ekwonu recovers from his surgery, which is expected to sideline him for at least part of the season. Tilis declined to comment when asked how Ekwonu’s injury could impact his contract. Ekwonu will make a guaranteed \$17.6 million in the final year of his rookie contract. Speaking more generally, Tilis said he views roster construction in three stages: building, contending and sustaining. The former Kansas City Chiefs executive believes the Panthers are somewhere between building and contending after winning the NFC South with an 8-9 record last season. Advertisement “We’re still adding good players to our roster. We are more competitive than we have been in the past, and we can just see how it plays out from there,” he said. Tilis said the Panthers might take more risks as they try to become contenders. He pointed to the recent restructuring of Derrick Brown’s contract, which created more salary-cap space while adding two voidable years to the end of Brown’s deal. “That’s something you wouldn’t necessarily do when you’re in a full-blown build,” Tilis said, “but something that you can do as you’re continuing your ascent up the mountain.” With only \$4.2 million in cap space, [according to Over the Cap](https://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space), Tilis said the Panthers might have to restructure the contract of Jaycee Horn or other players so the team can sign its draft picks and maintain a reserve for in-season moves such as injury replacements. [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2740%27%20height=%2740%27/%3e)![Joseph Person](https://static01.nyt.com/athletic/uploads/wp/2020/04/13223022/HS_Square_0036_20200227Person-Joseph0616_bw.jpg?width=96&quality=70&auto=webp)](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/joseph-person/) By [Joseph Person](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/joseph-person/) Senior Writer, Panthers Tagged To: [Bryce Young](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nfl/player/bryce-young-jNeXr4xrk9yhH7P4/) [NFL](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nfl/) [Carolina Panthers](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nfl/team/panthers/) Your Next Read [Rams’ Puka Nacua sued for allegedly making antisemitic comment, biting women](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7149049/2026/03/26/rams-puka-nacua-lawsuit-antisemitic-biting-woman/) [NFL’s competition committee proposes 5 rule changes, including 3 regarding kickoffs](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7144799/2026/03/24/nfl-competition-committee-proposed-rule-changes/) [What are the Philadelphia Eagles’ future stadium plans? 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Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle ![](data:image/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%27100%27%20height=%27100%27/%3e)![Joseph Person](https://static01.nyt.com/athletic/uploads/wp/2020/04/13223022/HS_Square_0036_20200227Person-Joseph0616_bw.jpg?width=256&quality=70&auto=webp) ![Joseph Person](https://static01.nyt.com/athletic/uploads/wp/2020/04/13223022/HS_Square_0036_20200227Person-Joseph0616_bw.jpg?width=256&quality=70&auto=webp) [Joseph Person](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/joseph-person/) is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Carolina Panthers. He has covered the team since 2010, previously for the Charlotte Observer. A native of Williamsport, Pa., Joe is a graduate of William & Mary, known for producing presidents and NFL head coaches. He was voted North Carolina's Sportswriter of the Year in 2022 by the National Sports Media Association. Follow Joseph on Twitter [@josephperson](https://twitter.com/josephperson) COMMENTS 21 E Edward G. · Tue The only way they would offer him an extension now is if he was willing to sign one far below the general market value for a first round pick QB. I don’t see him doing that, and he hasn’t played well enough up to this point in his career to get the kind of massive contract that comes with the first round pick QB territory. We’ve reached a point where either he takes a leap this season and earns that kind of extension or the Panthers are probably drafting a QB next year. It’s hard for me to see a scenario where he’s willing to sign an extension that would not pay \$40+ million a year due to his status as the \#1 overall pick, and the Panthers aren’t going to offer that without better play. * J Jim J. · Tue It would be a big mistake to sign Bryce at around \$50 million per year. He doesn't elevate the team in any kind of way. * P Paul S. · Tue Signing him to a big money deal would be an unacceptably large risk. He's shown some short flashes but his overall body of work has him as an average QB, maybe a tick below. 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Readable Markdown	CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Brandt Tilis didn’t offer up any new nuggets on if or when the Carolina Panthers could offer a contract extension to quarterback Bryce Young. But Tilis, the team’s executive VP of football operations, was pleased with his evaluation of Young last summer, when he called the No. 1 pick from 2023 [“an ascending player.”](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6525351/2025/07/30/panthers-bryce-young-contract-situation/) “Nothing’s changed. I got the eval right. He was ascending. So, nailed that. I was happy about that,” Tilis said with a little smile Tuesday during a Zoom with reporters. “But we haven’t had any discussions with his agent about a contract. And any that we would have, we would just keep internal anyway. It’s still the same. Still evaluating and just curious to see where it all goes and very excited about Bryce and all that he brings to us.” Your browser does not support the video tag. 0:02 / 0:27 After a season in which Young established career highs in every major passing category, general manager Dan Morgan said in January the Panthers planned to [pick up Young’s fifth-year option](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6966315/2026/01/13/bryce-young-fifth-year-option-panthers/) for 2027. Morgan was noncommittal when asked about a long-term extension for Young. The Athletic has reported the Panthers are [not expected to extend Young before the start of the 2026 season](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6983537/2026/01/20/panthers-bryce-young-future-contract/). But Tilis left all options open Tuesday. “I’d never rule anything out,” he said. “But I can’t tell you affirmatively yes or no.” Young is set to make \$12.1 million this season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. Young’s fifth-year option will be worth a guaranteed \$25.9 million once exercised. Last spring, the Panthers picked up the fifth-year option for left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, who was drafted No. 6 in 2022. The two sides had discussed an extension before the 2025 season, which ended with Ekwonu rupturing his patellar tendon in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round. The Panthers signed two offensive tackles in free agency as a stopgap while Ekwonu recovers from his surgery, which is expected to sideline him for at least part of the season. Tilis declined to comment when asked how Ekwonu’s injury could impact his contract. Ekwonu will make a guaranteed \$17.6 million in the final year of his rookie contract. Speaking more generally, Tilis said he views roster construction in three stages: building, contending and sustaining. The former Kansas City Chiefs executive believes the Panthers are somewhere between building and contending after winning the NFC South with an 8-9 record last season. “We’re still adding good players to our roster. We are more competitive than we have been in the past, and we can just see how it plays out from there,” he said. Tilis said the Panthers might take more risks as they try to become contenders. He pointed to the recent restructuring of Derrick Brown’s contract, which created more salary-cap space while adding two voidable years to the end of Brown’s deal. “That’s something you wouldn’t necessarily do when you’re in a full-blown build,” Tilis said, “but something that you can do as you’re continuing your ascent up the mountain.” With only \$4.2 million in cap space, [according to Over the Cap](https://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space), Tilis said the Panthers might have to restructure the contract of Jaycee Horn or other players so the team can sign its draft picks and maintain a reserve for in-season moves such as injury replacements. ![](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxMCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDI0IDI0IiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPgo8cGF0aCBkPSJNMjQgMS45NTU1OUwxMC41MjQ3IDIxTDAgMTMuMjczTDEuOTYwMzEgMTAuNTUyTDkuNzY2NDggMTYuMjgzMUwyMS4yODc5IDBMMjQgMS45NTU1OVoiIGZpbGw9IiMwMDAwMDAiPjwvcGF0aD4KPC9zdmc+Cg==) ![Connections: Sports Edition 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Mar 27, 2026 ## Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. 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