By Kevin Fishbain, Adam Jahns, Joseph Person, and Jeff Howe
The Chicago Bears traded the pick to the Carolina Panthers in the 2023 NFL draft, team and league sources confirmed the athlete. Here’s what you need to know:
- In exchange for the top pick in the draft, Chicago will receive Carolina’s #9 and #61 picks in 2023, a first-round pick in 2024, a second-round pick in 2025, along with wide receiver DJ Moore, per team and League Sources.
- The Bears had bought the No. 1 this offseason, due in part to QB Justin Fields’ strong play in the second half of 2022.
- Fields ended 2022 with 2,242 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and 1,143 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. He threw 12 of those touchdowns in the team’s last eight games.
- The Bears were 3-14 in 2022 while the Panthers went 7-10.
the athlete‘s instant analysis:
Why did Panthers make the move?
After three years in the quarterback carousel with Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield, they had to try something different. Owner David Tepper is a fan of making a splash, which he attempted by chasing Matthew Stafford and Deshaun Watson for the past two offseasons. Also, the Panthers didn’t want to hire Frank Reich, a former NFL quarterback and QB coach, or give him someone to work with. — person
So, who are the Panthers stepping up for?
The team’s party line will be that Reich and general manager Scott Fitterer will use the next seven weeks to consider which of the big four quarterbacks they want: CJ Stroud, Bryce Young, Will Levis or Anthony Richardson. But league insiders believe it will be Stroud, who is taller than Young, more accurate than Richardson and a bigger playmaker than Levis. Stroud showed precision passing at the combine last week and proved in the college football playoff semifinals against Georgia that he’s not afraid to leave the pocket when necessary. The Panthers ditched another Ohio State quarterback two years ago, picking Jaycee Horn at No. 8 when Fields was available. — person
Valuation of trading for the bears
This is quite a win for Bears general manager Ryan Poles. And quite a statement to the rest of the league. Poles is rebuilding the Bears, and now he’s got a windfall to do it. First pick was a tremendous resource and he knew it. Teams always step up for their quarterbacks.
The Panthers now have their pick, while Poles have an additional first-rounder in 2024 and a second in 2025 to add key pieces to their roster. He also acquired a #1 receiver at Moore for Fields. That really is an impressive yield. — Jahns
What brings Moore to Chicago
Draft capital is most important to the Bears over the long term, but Moore can be a big part of that deal. The Bears are getting an established and prolific wideout — he had 1,100 yards every season from 2019-21 — and he turns 26 next month. Moore can be a much-needed fundamental part of that roster in a premium position, and it lessens the need for the bears to put resources into the free hand or draft. Getting a veteran playmaker to join Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool is also important for Fields. — fishbain
Backstory
With quarterbacks Young and Stroud expected to be the first players selected in the upcoming draft, the Bears, happy with Fields, conceded their worst NFL record. With the new picks, Chicago is expected to develop the roster around Fields or turn the picks into even more assets.
Moore, the No. 24 pick in the 2018 NFL draft, started in 73 games during his five-year career with Carolina. Last season, he led the Panthers in 888 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
