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Even though the 2023 NFL Draft is still a couple of weeks away, the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers have completed this year's first big trade.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bears are giving the Panthers the top overall pick in this year's draft in exchange for wide receiver DJ Moore, the Nos. 9 and 61 overall picks in April, a first-round pick in 2024, and a second-round pick in 2025.
During the combine, the Panthers reportedly inquired about trading up with the Bears and several other clubs at the top of the draft. Since Panthers executives saw significance in closing a deal before free agency begins on Monday, talks with the Bears resumed a few days ago and heated up on Friday.
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The Panthers currently own the following selections in the 2023 NFL Draft:
Round 1, 1st overall
Round 2, 39th overall
Round 3, 93rd overall
Round 4, 114th overall
Round 4, 132nd overall
Round 5, 145th overall
The Panthers still have a respectable selection pool to deal with, as they have at least one pick in each of the first five rounds despite the significant trade made to secure the No. 1 pick.
Why did the Bears agree to trade their top pick?
The Bears have a proven quarterback in Justin Fields, who was taken 11th overall in the 2021 draft and displayed significant improvement as a passer and rusher last season, so they don't necessarily need the first overall pick in 2023.
The Bears were able to take advantage of the potential for a sizeable return and the freedom to upgrade everywhere by trading the first overall pick, and that's what they managed to do. They'll probably still be able to draft a player they've had their sights on with the No. 9 overall selection.
The Panthers, meanwhile, are rumored to be looking for a new signal-caller in this year's draft after their trade for Sam Darnold from the New York Jets before the 2021 season proved to be a dud.
The Carolina Panthers will have the first pick for the third time. They owned it in 1995, their inaugural season, but dealt it to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 5 selection and No. 36 overall.
They also drafted Cam Newton as their first overall pick in 2011, and he ended up winning the 2015 MVP award. Newton also took the Panthers to the Super Bowl.
