There is an Interesting Bit of Bears-Panthers Trade Smoke Popping Up Today (UPDATE)
INSTANT UPDATE: IT’S ACTUALLY HAPPENING!!! The Bears are trading the number one pick to the Panthers for a HAUL, including the 9, the 61, a 2024 first, a 2025 second, and wide receiver D.J. Moore (yessssss). Full story right here:
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The Panthers have been a team I’ve had eyes on regarding an ideal Bears trade partner. Some of it has to do with Carolina being well-positioned to be picked apart. A new-ish owner who has something to prove in a division that looks wide open. Said owner just brought in a brand new head coach who is probably over rocking with retread quarterbacks. And as an additional bonus, he could have the motivation to leapfrog his former employer in the draft to snag a top QB prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft.
So while I’m not wholly sure why there’s a bunch of buzz around the Bears and Panthers today, I’m definitely finding it to be interesting:
The four tweets above have a little bit of everything. A musical nod Easter egg from Bill Zimmerman, whose Bears knowledge, insight, and perspective is must-follow year-round. A suggestive tweet from Josh Schrock, who works the beat at NBC Sports Chicago. And the tweet Schrock quotes comes is an intriguing one from an ESPN NFL Draft writer. Jeff Hughes’ tweet captures our attention, too. DBB’s top dawg is a Bears web community OG. So when he floats something, it is often worth taking note.
I’m unsure if anything is imminent, but it feels like something is cooking between the Bears and Panthers. Carolina has the ninth overall pick, could offer multiple future firsts, and could conceivably tack on a veteran player to sweeten the deal. I’ve been hesitant about trading back too far down the draft board. However, getting an overwhelming haul would make me feel better about sliding down nine spots.
Nevertheless, we’ll keep watching this with great interest. Whatever it is, we love a fun bit of speculation to get us through Friday. And I’m here for more if it comes about.
