The Bears are trading four draft picks to the Panthers in exchange for the No. 1 pick, as sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Friday. DJ Moore, a wide receiver, is involved in the trade.
Schefter reports that the Bears will be given Carolina’s first-round pick at No. 9, a second-round pick at a later stage (No. 61), a first-round pick in 2024, and a second-round pick in 2025.
Talks for the No. 1 pick have intensified since last week’s scouting combine, with multiple teams including the Houston Texans expressing interest in making a deal, Schefter told sources.
The Panthers officials saw the value in getting a deal done before Monday starts, so they came to the head of the agency on Friday. A couple of days ago, they picked up talks with the Bears. In addition, several other teams inquired about the possibility of moving up in the draft, including several teams at the top of the draft. Initially, the Panthers reached out to the Bears to inquire about the possibility of moving up. A league source said this on Monday.
Selections by the Editor
The team officials, according to a source, still haven’t focused on one specific quarterback for the early process evaluation that will take place from April 27th to April 29th. However, they have a stronger belief in more than two of the top quarterbacks. Ultimately, Carolina wanted the top pick because it provided them with the most options.
Sources have indicated that during the combine at Ohio State’s Stroud C.J. And Alabama’s Bryce Young, as well as Kentucky’s Levis Will, were highly regarded. According to a league source, the Panthers should consider trading for a backup spot, particularly if they develop an affection for a couple of quarterbacks.
In the third round, the Carolina Panthers will have the opportunity to pick the top player. However, in their first season in 1995, they traded it to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the 36th overall pick. The Bengals selected Kerry Collins, a quarterback, with the 5th overall pick.
Cam Newton, who was selected by Auburn and had the top pick in 2011, went on to win the MVP in the Super Bowl and lead Carolina to victory.
The source stated that by moving on from Moore, Carolina was able to avoid surrendering another future first-round selection. They reached an agreement primarily because the Bears expressed interest in acquiring the former Maryland standout, who was the 24th overall pick in the 2018 draft and has been their top wide receiver for the past five years, whereas the Panthers initially hesitated to let go of Moore.
In 2022, they accumulated a total of 77 receptions. Terrace Marshall Jr., Shi Smith, and Laviska Shenault Jr., Their sole established wide receivers, are currently the Panthers’ strategy to actively participate in the free agent market, although none of them have established themselves as a clear number one option.
Equanimeous Brown and Jr. Velus Jones, along with Claypool Chase Mooney, were the receivers under contract at Brown St. The Bears only had these receivers for the seasons from 2019 to 2021. Together, they put up three 1,100-yard seasons, with Moore adding to their prior achievements. Despite missing the final five games of the season due to injury, Mooney finished with a team-high of 493 receiving yards and two touchdowns. It is evident that the Bears are in dire need of a major wide receiver on their side.
Negotiating and bargaining
The agreed-to trade on Friday resulted in the No. 1 overall pick, marking the seventh occasion since 1990 when a team has chosen to move up. In 2016, the Rams traded up with the Titans to select QB Jared Goff. Similarly, the Falcons traded up with the Chargers in 2001 to secure QB Michael Vick. The Rams also traded up with the Jets in 1997 to pick OT Orlando Pace. In 1995, the Bengals traded up with the Panthers to acquire RB Ki-Jana Carter. Likewise, the Cowboys traded up with the Patriots in 1991 to select DT Russell Maryland. Lastly, the Colts traded up with the Falcons in 1990 to secure QB Jeff George. Let’s take a closer look at the other instances.
The wide receiver who achieved a career-best seven touchdowns last season will receive a base salary of $19.965 million for the 2023 season. Moore, who signed in March 2022, will continue with the Bears for the remaining duration of his three-year contract extension.
Despite the team’s available quarterbacks, the Bears’ plan for the 2023 offseason is to keep Fields as their starting quarterback, as stated by the general manager Ryan Poles. Fields, who finished his second NFL season with 64 rushing yards shy of the single-season rushing record for quarterbacks, continues to receive support from the Bears, reaffirming their move.
Poles said, “He has a special ability to create explosive plays and is very athletic.” “I’m excited because I think he’s going to take the next step in his game, like he openly talked about and we’ve had discussions about it.”
The Bears confirmed last week that they expressed optimism and a desire to find a trade partner ahead of the draft to add to their franchise’s benefit. They believed that they could find a free agency scenario and pick No. 1 at the combine.
Poles stated, “In the agency, if you want to do what you desire, there are potential scenarios where you can add players and gain clarity. Additionally, there are potential scenarios where you can add players and gain clarity, which gives you a clearer view of what you want to accomplish.”
Prior to the 2020 season, Carolina moved on from Newton and went with Teddy Bridgewater. Since the 2015 season, Newton has been dealing with shoulder issues and has been a quarterback franchise looking for a replacement.
In the year 2021, the Panthers made a trade for Sam Darnold, who was selected as the third overall pick in the 2018 draft. Before the previous season, they also acquired Baker Mayfield, who was chosen as the first overall pick in the 2018 draft.
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During the draft, team officials made the decision to maintain their focus on acquiring a quarterback. Throughout those conversations at the combine, they were recently engaged in talks regarding former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who, on Monday, inked a deal with the New Orleans Saints, a rival team in the NFC South.
Among the possible choices at quarterback, analyst Mel Kiper Jr. Believes Young will be selected first, but other analysts believe Levis, the top-rated quarterback by ESPN draft analyst, is the best option.
He’s a good guy, too big for nothing. He’s chill, just like him and when you meet him. The guy never seems stressed when he’s in his pocket. The ability to see the field and the process, the competitiveness, the poise. “The general manager of the Panthers, Scott Fitterer, said at the combine,” Scott Fitterer, the general manager of the Panthers, said at the combine.
I recall him being incredibly composed during the Heisman Trophy ceremony a few years back. If I’m not mistaken, he was around 20 years old at that time. It’s as if his poised demeanor is an innate part of his character, rather than something he puts on as a facade. It’s deeply rooted in his personality.