As per a report by NFL insider @AdamSchefter, the Chicago Bears are trading the No. 1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for: Pick No. 9 this year and Pick No. 61 this year, a 2024 first-round pick, a 2025 second-round pick WR DJ Moore. The Bears get a huge haul in return for a top pick and the NFL draft has been completely shaken up. That the Bears got Moore is being seen as a huge get by many who are offering an opinion on this trade. Many are viewing this as a huge win for the Bears as an organization.

Wide receiver DJ Moore was a “must” for the Bears in trade discussions with the Carolina Panthers for the number 1 overall pick, per Carolina Panthers beat reporter Mike Kaye.

As Clay Harbor writes, “DJ Moore is HUGE. No WR is better than him in free agency. QB1 gets a SERIOUS weapon with multiple 1000-yard seasons. Super explosive: 4.42 11’ Broad jump 40” vertical.” Meanwhile, Skip Bayless writes, “I’LL SAY IT AGAIN: The Chicago Bears will ultimately regret not talking Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall picks.: He adds, “Justin Fields is pretty good. Bryce Young will be extremely good.”

The reason this deal was done so far ahead in free agency is that the Bears wanted Moore and to know that part of the search was done. DJ Moore is a sure thing and now they don’t need to plan to acquire a wide receiver in free agency. The price was right and the opportunity was there to fill a need.

As for who the Bears may elect to draft with the No. 9 overall pick, names like Tyree Wilson, Peter Skoronski, Calijah Kancey, Myles Murphey, Lukas Van Ness, and Broderick Jones will get heavy consideration. The Bears won’t be drafting a quarterback as Justin Fields is their guy. The team has cap space, and multiple No. 1 picks coming up in the future and they now have an opportunity to build a team around Fields.

Of note, the Panthers still have a second-round pick (No. 39) this year, and they didn’t have to give up their first-rounder in 2025.