The Carolina Panthers made a decision on Monday that is hard to come back from. Two games into his second season, Bryce Young has been benched. The former first overall pick in 2023 will be behind Andy Dalton after a tough rookie season and a bad start to his 2024 season.

Now, it's difficult to imagine a scenario where head coach Dave Canales and the Panthers' management see Bryce Young as a long-term option, even if he eventually starts a few more games this year.

Therefore, it could make sense for the Panthers to trade away Young and recoup some draft capital — especially because Carolina will still send a 2025 second-rounder to the Chicago Bears as part of the trade to acquire Young in the first place.

These are three potential landing spots:

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are the obvious option. With so much uncertainty around Tua Tagovailoa and a huge financial compromise with the quarterback, Miami could use a cheaper option with some upside. Even though Young hasn't lived up to his draft stock, playing under Mike McDaniel and with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle as his weapons would be the best scenario to be productive in the NFL.

When Tagovailoa is back, Young would probably be valued at a higher price than he is now. The Dolphins could have the option to keep him as a solid backup option or trade him away again.

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams have Matthew Stafford, so there's no real plan to use Bryce Young right away. However, Stafford is 36 and has a long injury history. In one of those instances, head coach Sean McVay started the Baker Mayfield rehabilitation plan, and it worked.

McVay has a strong track record of maximizing quarterback play, something he has already done with Jared Goff as well — at that point, a fellow flawed and unsuccessful former first overall pick. Stafford and Mayfield, curiously, were also former first overall picks, and the Rams took good production at different levels from both as well.

Minnesota Vikings

Young would be a long-term backup option for Kevin O'Connell, most likely. This year, he would be behind Sam Darnold, who had a strong start of season. Next year, he would probably be the backup for JJ McCarthy.

O'Connell is an underrated offensive mind, and the Vikings have a strong offensive infrastructure with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson, and a solid line.

Contract ramifications

As a first overall pick in 2023, Bryce Young has a fully-guaranteed contract that goes through the 2026 season. The team also has a fifth-year option for 2027, but it has to be exercised or not after the 2025 season.

In the case the Panthers decide to trade Young right now, they would have $7.8 million in dead money in 2024, opening up $807k in cap space. There would also be $12.3 million of dead money in 2025, the proration of his original signing bonus.

The acquiring team would absorb only $807k in 2024 base salary — and it's progressively less than that if the trade is closer to the deadline. The new team would also have to pay Young $4.2 million in 2025 and $5.925 million in 2026, which is fully guaranteed.

A trade would be beneficial for the Panthers, that could recoup some draft capital and open cap space, and probably good for Bryce Young, who would go to a situation where success is more feasible.

It's not what anyone expected 18 months ago, but it looks like those expectations are already gone anyway.

2025 NFL Draft quarterbacks for Carolina Panthers fans to know following Bryce Young benching

Potential replacments for Bryce Young in the 2025 NFL Draft