According to experts, the Carolina Panthers were robbed by the Chicago Bears.
Immediate reactions to trades are inevitable in any sport, with people eager to determine which team came out on top based on the estimated value of the return. This was certainly the case when the Chicago Bears pulled off a massive blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers on Friday, and experts were quick to weigh in.
GM Ryan Poles was cautious and deliberate in his approach, only making a move when he was confident that he was getting what his team needed. And, it seems that he succeeded. In exchange for dropping eight spots to #9 overall in the draft, the Bears secured the 61st pick in 2023, a 1st-round pick in 2024, a 2nd-round pick in 2024, and wide receiver D.J. Moore. It's believed that Moore was the key component that made the trade happen quickly, as Poles was looking for a proven veteran player to help quarterback Justin Fields.
Moore has been averaging over 1,000 yards in the past four seasons, and at 25 years old with three years left on his current contract, he could be a valuable asset for the Bears. With Moore's addition, the Bears now have a young and explosive wide receiver room, in addition to the three extra picks, including a future 1st-round pick.
Several experts weighed in on the trade and agreed that the Bears came out ahead. Poles accomplished what he set out to do, adding a massive influx of picks to his inventory and a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver for his young quarterback to build a connection with. With at least three selections in the top two rounds of the next three drafts, Poles has positioned the Bears for future success.
While some may argue that the 2025 pick should have been another 1st-round pick, Poles had a choice: a lottery ticket with slightly better odds of hitting the jackpot or a proven investment in Moore and a lottery ticket with slightly lower odds. Poles chose the latter, and it's not hard to see why.
The Bears now have ten picks in the 2023 draft, including four in the first three rounds, which should allow them to add more talent to their roster. Poles said he wanted more bites at the apple, and he got his wish. However, now comes the hard part - evaluating talent and making the right picks. If the Bears' evaluations are sound, they should be able to add at least two good players in that window. Only time will tell if this blockbuster trade pays off for the Bears, but for now, they should be happy with the outcome.
| POLL | ||
11 MARS | 306 ANSWERS According to experts, the Carolina Panthers were robbed by the Chicago Bears. Who won the trade? | ||
| Bears | 286 | 93.5 % |
| Panthers | 20 | 6.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
