As expected ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears have traded away its first overall pick. In a deal with the Carolina Panthers, a franchise that is rebuilding, it will acquire the 9th and 61st overall picks in April, a first-round pick in 2024, a second-round pick in 2025, and wide receiver DJ Moore.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Justin Fields in Bears threads 🤩 <br><br>(via <a href=”https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@ChicagoBears</a>) <a href=”https://t.co/bkLHu5Lluf”>pic.twitter.com/bkLHu5Lluf</a></p>— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) <a href=”https://twitter.com/ESPNNFL/status/1405287583957934082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>June 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
The offer from the Panthers was too much to turn down for Chicago, especially as they have a quarterback that they are happy with in Justin Fields. The QB showed signs of brilliance in 2022, and they are confident he will turn into one of the elite players in his position in the NFL.
Chicago will most likely use their two first-round picks on defensive players. It is a franchise that is normally known for being great on that side of the ball, however, in 2022, they were poor. The Bears conceded more points than any other team in the campaign, with 463 points going against them, which was why they finished with a disappointing 3-14 record.
Moore Adds Quality to Receiving Options
Since arriving in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2018, Moore has been one of the Panthers’ leading receivers. Despite there being problems at quarterback, the wide receiver has consistently delivered for his franchise. He now gets his opportunity to prove himself elsewhere.
Moore has already thrown for over 5,000 passing yards in the NFL. He has recorded over 1,000 yards in three of his five seasons in the league, with his highest total coming in 2020 with 1,193 yards.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Most receiving yards in Chicago Bears history:<br><br>1. Johnny Morris • 5,059 yds<br>2. Harlon Hill • 4,616 yds<br>3. Alshon Jeffery • 4,549 yds<br>4. Walter Payton • 4,538 yds<br>5. Mike Ditka • 4,503 yds<br><br>Newly-acquired WR D.J. Moore after 5 seasons in Carolina: 5,201 yds 🤯 <a href=”https://t.co/WgFFKlTGA2″>pic.twitter.com/WgFFKlTGA2</a></p>— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) <a href=”https://twitter.com/YahooSports/status/1634675516262211586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>March 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
The first-round pick from the 2018 NFL Draft scored seven receiving touchdowns in 2022. He is going to be a player Fields will look to target next season, and if they form a strong partnership, they could help each other’s games.
Bears Could Be NFC North Challengers In 2023
With the addition of the two first-round picks and Moore, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus can be confident of a much better campaign next season. They remain outsiders at +5000 in the Super Bowl, but if they get off to a good start, those odds could shorten very fast.
The NFC North is a division that may be wide open next season. There are rumors that Aaron Rodgers will leave Green Bay this year to join the New York Jets, while the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions need to both prove they can replicate what they did last year.
The Bears are +300 in the betting for the division, and they could feature on tipping sites that offer a sports betting service. Carefully selected tipsters who have expertise in the NFL will be considering the impact the Bears’ trade with the Panthers could have. Sports Betting Portfolio is one of these. Since launching in 2019, they have an accumulated profit of £1541.09 on its sports betting tips.
It has been five years now since Chicago last won the NFC North title. Bears fans have had to wait 38 years since their last championship victory, which came in 1985 in what is considered one of the great NFL teams in history.
The last few seasons have been tough for one of the oldest franchises in the sport. However, this latest trade could reignite their charge towards future glory.
