It’s been rumored for weeks, and the Carolina Panthers made it official on Friday afternoon. The Chicago Bears held the coveted No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and several quarterback-needy teams were salivating at the possibility of trading up to get their franchise quarterback. With the Houston Texans at No. 2, the Indianapolis Colts at No. 4, the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 7, and the Seattle Seahawks who could possibly be looking to draft a signal caller, the Panthers could not gamble with staying put at No.9.
In exchange for the first overall pick, the Bears received this year’s No. 9 and No. 61 picks, 2024 first-round pick, 2025 second-round pick, and wide receiver DJ Moore. “You better be right. You better have conviction if you do move up. When you do that, you’re all in,” said general manager Scott Fitterer of a potential trade up while at the NFL Scouting Combine last week in Indianapolis. While trading away Moore leaves the team looking for a new WR1, it does give the Panthers a little breathing room when it comes to securing their quarterback of the future.
The only quarterbacks on the roster at this time are Jacob Eason and Matt Corral. Sam Darnold and PJ Walker will become free agents next week.
