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The Panthers are in position to draft the
quarterback of their choice, owning the top pick for the first
time since selecting Auburn quarterback Cam Newton in 2011.
Chicago general manager Ryan Poles made his intentions clear at
the NFL Scouting Combine -- he intended to trade the pick to the
highest bidder while committing to Justin Fields at quarterback.
The Bears stand to lose out on several top-ranked prospects in
the deal by taking Carolina's first-round pick in the 2023
draft, No. 9 overall, and the Panthers' second-rounder (61st).
But Poles made it clear in Indianapolis that the Bears felt they
would get a "great player" regardless of the deal, which sets
the franchise up with multiple first-round picks for the 2024
draft and multiple second-rounders in the 2025 draft.
Carolina hired Frank Reich as head coach after Matt Rhule was
let go during the 2022 season. The Panthers made multiple trades
in an attempt to fill the quarterback spot under Rhule.
But former No. 1 pick Baker Mayfield didn't pan out last season
and Sam Darnold, originally drafted third overall by the New
York Jets in 2018, failed to secure the position.
Other quarterback-needy teams who had hoped to move up in a
trade with the Bears included the Indianapolis Colts (fourth
overall) and Las Vegas Raiders (seventh overall).
--Field Level Media
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