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The trade between the Caroline Panthers and the Chicago Bears also included wide receiver DJ Moore and second-round picks in 2023 and 2025; The move will mean the Panthers will pick from quarterbacks in this year’s draft.
By Amar Mehta
Last updated: 10/03/23 11:45
Frank Reich’s Carolina Panthers are in pole position to draft a quarterback
The Carolina Panthers have traded two first-round picks, a second-rounder in 2023 and 2025 and wide receiver DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears for the No. 1 pick in this year’s NFL draft, according to reports.
The trade puts the Panthers in pole position to draft a quarterback, and would be the top pick for the first time since selecting Auburn QB Cam Newton in 2011.
Chicago general manager Ryan Poles made his intentions clear at the NFL Scouting Combine when he said that he intended to trade the pick to the highest bidder when he did for Justin Fields at quarterback.
The Bears will lose out on several top-ranked prospects in the deal by taking Carolina’s first-round pick in the 2023 draft, ninth overall, and the Panthers’ second-round pick (61st).
But Poland made it clear in Indianapolis that the Bears felt they would be getting “good players” regardless of the deal, which leaves the franchise with multiple first-round picks in the 2024 draft and multiple second-rounders in the 2025 draft.
Carolina hired Frank Reich as head coach after Matt Rhule was fired during the 2022 season. The Panthers made several trades in an effort to fill the quarterback position under Rhule.
But last season, the No. 1 pick, Baker Mayfield, didn’t work out and Sam Darnold, who was originally drafted third by the New York Jets in 2018, failed to secure the position.
Other quarterback-needy teams that have hoped to move up in a trade with the Bears include the Indianapolis Colts (fourth overall) and the Las Vegas Raiders (seventh overall).
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