Bears Make Blockbuster Trade, Get D.J. Moore and Draft Capital
On March 10, 2023, the Chicago Bears made one of the biggest trades in the NFL, sending the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for Nos. 9 and 61, a 2024 first-round pick, a 2025 second-round pick, and standout wide receiver D.J. Moore.[0] The Panthers are expected to select a quarterback with the No. 1 pick, with many speculating that Alabama's Bryce Young and Ohio State's C.J. Stroud are the presumed top two quarterbacks in most reputable mock drafts.
Moore is a dynamic receiver and has been extremely productive in his five-year career, amassing 364 catches for 5,201 yards with 21 touchdowns, including two seasons with at least 85 receptions and three of him breaking 1,000 yards.[1] Now with the Bears, Moore is on what is a three-year/$52.3 million contract, which will help Chicago in two areas: giving the offense a No. 1 receiver and aiding the Bears in spending this offseason.[2] Chicago had the most cap space in the league and needed to spend it to get over the cash floor, and Moore’s average annual salary now ranks 10th at the position.[2]
The Bears still have some work to do on their receiver room, but the extra draft capital from the trade will aid the process, and they can now focus on other positions of need when free agency kicks off next week.[3] Meanwhile, the Panthers are expected to take a quarterback with the No. 1 pick, but due to all the teams picking in the top 12, they may not get their top choice at the position. The Houston Texans, who pick No. 2, and the Raiders pick No. 7, while Indianapolis (No.[4] 4) and Seattle (No.[4] Additionally, Detroit is ranked[4] 6) all could take a quarterback.[4]
Justin Fields already on the Bears' roster, and with Moore now in the mix, the team will have a league-high $75.6 million in salary-cap space and can prioritize offensive and defensive linemen during free agency.[5] The Bears also have 10 picks in the 2023 draft and could take the player they believe is the best prospect available, regardless of position.[6] The New York Jets pick at No. 13, the New York Giants at No. 25, the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3, the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8, the Los Angeles Chargers at No.[7]
0. “Bears trading No. 1 overall pick to Panthers for haul that includes WR DJ Moore, sources say” ESPN, 10 Mar. 2023, https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35830753/bears-trading-no-1-overall-pick-panthers-haul-includes-wr-dj-moore-sources-say
1. “Bears trade down with Panthers, line up QB-QB picks ahead of Cardinals” Arizona Sports, 10 Mar. 2023, https://arizonasports.com/story/3515296/bears-trade-down-with-panthers-line-up-qb-qb-picks-ahead-of-cardinals/
2. “Breaking Down The Bears-Panthers Trade For The First Overall Pick In The 2023 NFL Draft” Sharp Football Analysis, 11 Mar. 2023, https://www.sharpfootballanalysis.com/analysis/bears-panthers-trade-first-pick-dj-moore-2023-nfl-draft
3. “What You Need to Know About the Panthers’ Trade Up for the No. 1 Pick” The Ringer, 11 Mar. 2023, https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2023/3/10/23634784/carolina-panthers-trade-up-no-1-overall-pick-chicago-bears-nfl-draft
4. “NFL trade: Carolina Panthers get No. 1 draft pick from Chicago Bears” Silver And Black Pride, 10 Mar. 2023, https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2023/3/10/23634648/nfl-news-panthers-no-1-draft-pick-trade-bears
5. “Bears double down on their Justin Fields investment in reported deal with Panthers for No. 1 NFL Draft pick” Yahoo Sports, 11 Mar. 2023, https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-double-down-on-their-justin-fields-investment-in-reported-deal-with-panthers-for-no-1-nfl-draft-pick-024900841.html
6. “Texans' draft outlook receives significant shake-up after trade” Chron, 10 Mar. 2023, https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/houston-texans-draft-trade-bears-17832735.php
7. “2023 NFL Draft order, team needs: Every first-round pick after Bears trade No. 1 pick to Panthers for big haul” CBS Sports, 10 Mar. 2023, https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2023-nfl-draft-order-team-needs-every-first-round-pick-after-bears-trade-no-1-pick-to-panthers-for-big-haul/
