The Miami Dolphins may not be in a position to make a big move when it comes to finding a replacement or backup quarterback for the injured Tua Tagovailoa, but they should be looking for a solid, value-oriented option.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell suggested a practical solution on October 17, proposing that the Dolphins trade a fourth-round pick in the 2025 draft to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for Bryce Young, the top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Barnwell pointed out that despite the Panthers publicly stating they aren’t ready to move on from Young, their decision to bench him suggests otherwise, hinting that they may be ready to move on from their initial investment.
He argued that Young could be a good fit for Mike McDaniel’s run-pass-option offense and gave several reasons why this move would be logical for Miami.
The Dolphins currently have an uncertain quarterback situation. Tua Tagovailoa is under a long-term contract and is expected to return this season after his latest concussion, but his history of head injuries has led to concerns about his long-term future in the league.
The Dolphins’ backup quarterback position is clearly a weak spot. Acquiring Young would provide a higher-upside option behind Tagovailoa and could potentially set him up as the team’s future starter if Tagovailoa’s career is eventually cut short.
Although the trade for Young wouldn’t be cheap, it wouldn’t be prohibitively expensive either. Young is still on his four-year rookie contract worth $38 million, with a team option for the 2027 season.
Much of that money has already been paid out due to a $24.6 million signing bonus, which means that if the Dolphins were to trade for Young now, they would only owe $10.7 million through the 2026 season. This makes a potential deal a reasonable gamble on a player who might develop into the Dolphins’ long-term solution at quarterback.
