NFL Trade Grades: Bears get king’s ransom from Panthers for No. 1 pick

Handing out NFL trade grades for the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers after the blockbuster trade for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

It was only a matter of time before the Chicago Bears traded the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Once it was obvious that Justin Fields wasn’t going anywhere, it was time for the bidding war to begin. And like the closest without going over on The Price is Right, David Tepper and the Carolina Panthers will now have their pick of the litter at quarterback with the winning bid.

On Friday afternoon, the Panthers completed a blockbuster trade for the No. 1 pick with the Bears that includes four draft picks and wide receiver D.J. Moore going to Chicago. The deal was first reported by NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

So who won this trade? Let’s look at the details and then hand out our immediate NFL trade grades for this monster deal that sets the tone for the offseason and the 2023 NFL Draft.

Bears trade details: Panthers give up massive haul for No. 1 pick

Here’s a look at the full details of the trade, per Adam Schefter:

The Bears are acquiring the No. 9 pick in this year’s draft in addition to No. 61, recouping the second-rounder they gave up for Chase Claypool. They also improve a lacking wide receiver room with the acquisition of D.J. Moore and get a first-rounder next year in addition to another second-round selection in 2025. Talk about a haul.

As for the Panthers, well, they get the No. 1 pick and their pick of which quarterback prospect they want to take.

NFL Trade Grades: Bears get their money’s worth for No. 1 pick

When you look at the position the Bears were in with the first pick, they were in the driver’s seat with a host of quarterback-needy teams behind them. So they could always get a king’s ransom for this trade, but what they walk away with is exactly what they needed.

Chicago moving down to No. 9 does likely take them out of consideration from drafting top defensive prospects like Will Anderson Jr. or Jalen Carter, but they can still get an instant-impact defender or, perhaps more importantly, an offensive tackle to protect Justin Fields. What’s more pivotal, though, is that the Bears are adding a top-tier wide receiver in D.J. Moore who has impressed in spite of poor quarterback play, finally giving the Chicago offense a playmaker.

And if that weren’t enough, getting into the second round this year while having extra Top 64 picks in each of the next two draft’s after 2023 is huge to continue building the roster for the future.

For everything you could’ve imagined for the Bears to get in a trade for the No. 1 pick, this is an unquestionable home run for Ryan Poles and Co.

Bears Trade Grade: A+

NFL Trade Grades: Panthers make necessary move to land No. 1 pick

Obviously, the Panthers are giving up a lot to make this trade. But in reality, they had no other choice.

Sitting with the No. 9 pick, Carolina was behind virtually every other top landing spot for a quarterback in the draft with the Colts, Texans, Raiders and even teams like the Seahawks and Lions sitting ahead of them. They were always going to have to pay more to move up in a trade with the Bears than those other teams simply because of their draft position.

At the same time, though, trading up to the first pick to choose their pick of the best quarterback in this stout class at the position is vital for the future of the franchise. The Panthers have been middling with half-hearted swings at the position like Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield, but have clearly been searching and in the market for a move just like this one.

It’s costly and giving up Moore keeps it from being in the “A” grade range. But it’s still a win for Carolina as David Tepper gets his guy.

Panthers Trade Grade: B+