There is a chance Ryan Poles may have pulled off one of the two or three greatest trades in NFL history when he sent the #1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers in 2023. In exchange for what became Bryce Young, the Chicago Bears received D.J. Moore, Darnell Wright, Tyrique Stevenson, Caleb Williams, and a 2nd round pick in 2025. Moore played like a star last season. Wright was the highest-graded rookie tackle and had a terrific opener against Tennessee. Stevenson has five interceptions in his last seven games. Williams is widely considered a blue-chip prospect.
You would think there is no possible way this could get better for the Bears. Well, never say never when the Panthers are involved. Two developments over the past 24 hours suggest Chicago will not only get a high 2nd round pick next year but possibly the top 2nd round pick. One was Carolina getting flattened in New Orleans 47-10, looking every bit like the awful team they were last season.
If that weren’t bad enough, it was also reported that star defensive tackle Derrick Brown tore his meniscus and would miss the rest of the season.
It is hard to imagine a team flubbing a trade to such a historic degree. This deal serves as a reminder that smart general managers don’t target weak GMs. They target weak owners. Ryan Poles had the presence of mind to know Carolina was run by the notoriously hands-on David Tepper. He also knew they were desperate for a quarterback solution. Once it became clear he didn’t plan to take a QB at #1, the Bears GM let it leak that the pick was available. The Panthers were the most aggressive to get a deal done. Everything else fell into place after that. Now, the Bears have assembled one of their best teams in years, while Carolina appears headed for a long, torturous rebuild.
