The Chicago Bears have already gotten a terrific yield from the blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers last year. D.J. Moore is their best wide receiver. Darnell Wright has morphed into arguably their best offensive lineman. Tyrique Stevenson has five interceptions in his last seven games. They also have Caleb Williams as the quarterback, who has boatloads of potential. The amazing part is the trade return still isn’t over. Chicago still has Carolina’s 2nd round pick in 2025 coming their way, and it sure looks like it could end up being a good one.
The highest pick in the round is #33, which goes to the team with the worst record in football. Based on what happened through the first two weeks of the 2024 season, that may be the Carolina Panthers again. They got clobbered 47-10 on opening day against New Orleans. A week later, the Los Angeles Chargers offered more of the same, dismissing them 26-3. Quarterback Bryce Young has looked terrible, while the defense allowed 219 yards on the ground.
They already have their own 1st and 2nd round picks next year. If they end up with 33rd overall as well, that would give GM Ryan Poles tremendous options. He could either select the best player on his board, who might be a 1st round-caliber prospect, or he could choose to trade the pick. It has been done before. Arizona got an extra 3rd round pick in 2023 trading with Tennessee. The Titans, in turn, got 4th and 7th round picks from New York in 2015. If the Bears are looking to stack picks, that is a great way to do it.
There is also a strong probability they end up with a good player at that spot. Tee Higgins, Emmanuel Ogbah, Landon Collins, Rodger Saffold, and DeMeco Ryans were all notable names taken there in the past several years. One must also not forget the possibility the Chicago Bears jump back into the 1st round if somebody they covet falls, securing them and a rookie contract with a 5th-year option. Carolina could really be the gift that keeps on giving.
It seems like the only way to prevent this is if they bench Bryce Young for Andy Dalton, which ownership probably isn’t willing to do.
