The Chicago Bears trade with the Carolina Panthers last year is already an unqualified success. GM Ryan Poles appeared to have robbed them blind. D.J. Moore remains a star for the organization. Darnell Wright and Tyrique Stevenson are solid starters. Now Caleb Williams, the Panthers’ 1st round pick this year, is quickly evolving into a franchise player. Meanwhile, Bryce Young was benched after only 18 games in Carolina. The humiliation is hard to describe, and it’s still not over.
Chicago still has a 2nd round pick in 2025 coming their way next spring. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune gauged where that selection could end up a few months from now. He has it on good authority that it will go no lower than #36.
The Bears own the Panthers’ second-round pick in 2025, and based on where Carolina sits now — at 1-4, one of seven teams with only one victory — the selection would be near the top of Round 2. I’d be surprised if it’s lower than No. 36, and it could be higher.
The Panthers are bad on offense and beaten up on defense, and injuries have hit them across the board. They lost four starters to injuries in this game: tight end Tommy Tremble (concussion), right tackle Taylor Moton (elbow), center Austin Corbett (biceps) and outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (shoulder).
For those curious, the 36th spot is the fourth pick in the 2nd round. It has been a fruitful spot in recent years, with names like Breece Hall, Jevon Holland, Xavier McKinney, Deebo Samuel, Darius Leonard, Budda Baker, Derek Carr, and Darius Slay all going there.
They have already secured five seemingly good players thanks to it, including punter Tory Taylor. The last time they picked in that range was in 2003 when they selected a young corner named Charles Tillman with the 35th pick. Do not understate how valuable that selection has a chance to be. Carolina is 1-4 and horrifically banged up. Their remaining schedule features games against the Buccaneers, Chiefs, Eagles, Cowboys, Commanders, Broncos, and Falcons. All currently have winning records. That doesn’t include New Orleans who already walloped them in their first meeting.
It is hard to imagine that team having anything other than one of the worst records in the league again. That means this Chicago Bears trade could yield one more premium opportunity to add a good player.
