Feb. 25, 2026, 3:01 p.m. ET

On Tuesday, Carolina Panthers president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan made his shot across the bow to quarterback Andy Dalton public. Morgan, during his media availability from the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, told reporters that the team is looking into adding a fresh arm to compete for the backup spot behind starter Bryce Young.

And now, on Wednesday, the ship may be starting to sail—as ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the Panthers have been receiving calls regarding a potential trade of the 38-year-old veteran.

So, where could those calls be coming from?

Here are four possible trade suitors for Dalton:

Yes, it seems like a foregone conclusion that the Raiders will be selecting reigning Heisman Trophy winner and national champion Fernando Mendoza atop the 2026 NFL Draft. But Mendoza’s path to the field may not be as direct.

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New general manager John Spytek stated on Tuesday that he’s not a fan of “running out” a young quarterback right away. Perhaps Las Vegas could mimic Carolina’s approach from 2023, when they acquired Dalton to help mentor their own No. 1 overall pick.

New York Jets

When the Raiders grab Mendoza, that’ll leave the Jets without a worthy quarterback option at the No. 2 slot in the draft.

Although Dalton wouldn’t be a long-term solution to New York’s longstanding conundrum under center, he can serve as a solid bridge to whoever is next in 2027 and beyond. Plus, he could provide some much-needed stability for second-year head coach Aaron Glenn, who is already on the hot seat.

Minnesota Vikings

J.J. McCarthy has become more of a meme than he has an answer for Minnesota. He’s played just 10 games since being taken with the 10th overall pick in 2024, passing for a 57.6-percent completion rate with 11 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.

Dalton may be able to bolster McCarthy’s game and give head coach Kevin O’Connell a more trustworthy option, if need be, in 2026.

Cincinnati Bengals

Obviously, the Bengals do not need a starting quarterback. But they might, given the injury woes of their current one, want an upgraded insurance policy.

Like they did with wide receiver Adam Thielen last summer, maybe the Panthers give Dalton a storybook-like ending and send him off to his old stomping grounds in what could be his final NFL campaign.

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