At https://docs.getdbt.com/best-practices/how-we-structure/5-the-rest-of-the-project doc page it says,
It’s important to note that while the top-level YAML files
(dbt_project.yml, packages.yml) need to be specifically named
and in specific locations, the files containing your sources and
models dictionaries can be named, located, and organized however
you want.
I think we should also add connection profile file: profiles.yml in this list of file that needs to be specifically named.
I can send a PR if it makes sense.