The Carolina Panthers found themselves in the spotlight last week after benching former No. 1 pick Bryce Young in favor of Andy Dalton.

Among the many questions asked (such as “What are they doing over there?”) was whether the franchise would consider trading Young. Head coach Dave Canales tried to quickly end that discussion by clearly telling the media when asked that the Panthers had no interest in trading Young.

But last weekend could that could ultimately change. Dalton played an excellent football game, made Carolina’s sparse roster look competent and led perhaps the organization’s most dominant performance in several years. The 36-year-old veteran is not the long-term solution for the quarterback position, but his proven competency now could give the organization the confidence to pull the plug on Young and still remain somewhat competitive this year.

The fact that Dalton looks like a real quarterback isn’t enough to give up on Young, however. A good enough offer could convince the Panthers, and Adam Schefter reported Saturday that there’s plenty of interest in the former Heisman Trophy winner. ESPN’s NFL insider said “several” teams have contacted the Panthers and inquired about Young’s availability, while others have “thought” about a trade. Perhaps most relevant was Schefter’s note that league sources said it’s “only a matter of time” before Carolina sends Young elsewhere.

All of this suggests that a Young trade is unlikely but certainly possible. If that happens, the Panthers can’t hope to get a first-round pick in exchange for his talents, but a low second-day pick or high third-day pick seems reasonable — if no team is willing to offer a player with starting qualities, which seems likely since Young is currently a backup. The quarterback is in the second season of his four-year, $37 million rookie contract, which also includes a team option for a fifth year. In other words, whoever wants to trade Young won’t have to overpay financially and will have control of the contract through 2027 if they exercise the option.

Should the franchise decide to move on, here are the five teams that would make the most sense as Young’s new home.

This is the simplest player-team combination and the most frequently mentioned destination in Young transfer discussions. Mike McDaniel has developed an offense that is a perfect fit for a former Alabama quarterback with weaknesses in his game. Why not do it again? With Tua Tagovailoa’s football future seemingly uncertain after his recent concussion and Skylar Thompson disappointing again, the Dolphins need a new quarterback in the short term and possibly beyond.

There is a good match of requirements on both sides. If the Panthers make Young available, the Dolphins should be at the forefront.

While the Raiders seemed very confident about starting Gardnew Minshew in the 2024 season and letting Aidan O’Connell learn on the bench, from the outside looking in, there doesn’t seem to be much hope at the quarterback position. Minshew is a league-average player on his good days and O’Connell, a 2023 fourth-round pick out of Purdue, didn’t really flash his starter potential in the 10 games he started last season.

Think of it this way. If a trade for Young doesn’t work out, the Raiders will be in the same position they are now: a rebuilding roster looking for the QB of the future. If it does work out, the franchise can use its high draft picks this season and beyond to build the roster around Young and get back to the playoffs early.

The Titans want to give 2023 second-round pick Will Levis a serious shot at the starting quarterback job. The 2024 season hasn’t brought much optimism about his eligibility. The Titans are winless in Levis’ three starts this year and have looked helpless most of the time; the Kentucky product has produced a frighteningly high number of low points in the young season.

The 25-year-old still has plenty of time to turn things around, but the Titans should be prepared for the possibility that he might be more of a backup player. Considering Young in that regard makes sense – and similar to the Raiders, there are no major downsides here.

The Jets will be able to compete this season with Aaron Rodgers coming into form. However, with only Tyrod Taylor on the roster, there doesn’t seem to be a plan for succession at the quarterback position — which is a problem when the starter is a 40-year-old fresh off a torn Achilles. A career-ending and/or another serious injury are very possible for Rodgers, and New York has no one to step in.

Signing Young gives the Jets that reserve and a plan for the future. The front office has used the resources at its disposal to make the team better now; it would be wise to at least some Resources for the future.