The National Football League (NFL) saw its first shakeup in their draft order this past Friday, March 10, after the Chicago Bears moved out of the first pick slot, trading back with the Carolina Panthers. There has been a great deal of talk about the Bears trading back and a deal finally went through on Friday. Safe to say, the Bears got a HAUL.
The Panthers, who are in desperate need of a franchise quarterback, made their move by dealing a boatload of draft picks. The Panthers sent the ninth pick in April’s draft along with pick 61 in the second round, a 2024 first round selection, a 2025 second round selection and star wide receiver D.J. Moore to the Bears for the first pick in the first round.
While on paper some could see this as an overpay, the Panthers might be just a few pieces away from building a playoff roster and a franchise quarterback could make that dream a real possibility in the future. The defense is young and hungry, full of talent highlighted by pro bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn locking things down on his side of the field. Their offensive line has also shown flashes. After a successful 2022 campaign, the group is headed in the right direction with players like second year left tackle Ikem Ekwonu who is primed to take a big leap in his second year. While the skill positions on the offensive side are lacking, the team also holds the 39th pick and could find their future quarterback a reliable weapon moving forward. Of course, free agency is also fast approaching, so look for the Panthers to be in the market for wide receivers and tight ends this upcoming week.
The Bears put themselves in a terrific position with this trade. With Justin Fields finding success as the team’s quarterback this past season, there wasn’t a need for a quarterback. By trading down, they not only acquire picks for now and the future, but they also load up on offense by trading for a proven star to join the wide receiver corps. Moore has been one of the more electric wide receivers in the league in the past few seasons and turns the Bears lackluster wide receiver group into one that’s a force to be reckoned with. A group that includes Moore, Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool is loaded with potential. Last season, the Bears passing offense failed to create many scoring opportunities. Now, it could be one of the top air attacks in the league. Add this to a rushing attack that ranked number one in total yards with over 3,000 yards in 2022 and they may have a recipe for success. Moreover, the Bears now have a treasure trove of draft picks that gives them the opportunity to load up on both sides of the football, as they hope to speed up the rebuild and compete in the near future.
This is just the first domino to fall in this year’s NFL Draft and it’s still well over a month away. Out of the teams with the top four picks in this year’s draft, three of them are in need of a quarterback: the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts. The Arizona Cardinals, who have star quarterback Kyler Murray locked up until 2028, hold the third pick and could be the next to trade down with a team frantic to find their franchise quarterback. Quarterback prospects Bryce Young from Alabama, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson of Florida and Kentucky’s Will Levis are viewed as the top four quarterbacks, and all could go within the first ten picks. With this blockbuster deal between the Bears and Panthers, teams could quickly become anxious to trade up with the Cardinals and guarantee themselves one of the four highly touted prospects.
