Bryce Young just got what he was looking for.
As first reported on Friday afternoon by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, and later confirmed by the team, the Carolina Panthers finally agreed to terms with their new franchise quarterback. Young, who was selected atop the 2023 NFL draft exactly 85 days ago, is set to report to Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. for training camp tomorrow.
Pretty good timing, huh?
So, why did it take this long and what does the agreement entail?
To answer our first question, Young was seeking out an upfront signing bonus. As was the case for the last four No. 1 overall picks—Jacksonville’s Travon Walker and Trevor Lawrence and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow—the 21-year-old and his camp wanted his $24.6 million in a lump sum, not installments.
Well, that’s what he’s receiving.
Young will be raking in that full bonus right away on his four-year, $37.96 million deal. Oh, and that $37.96 million, per multiple reports, is fully guaranteed.
The numbers of the contract were, of course, always set—as each pick of the draft slots into a pre-determined pact. And Young, like every first-rounder, carries a fifth-year team option—which comes up in 2027.
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