Experts Agree The Chicago Bears Robbed Carolina

Immediate reactions to trades are an inevitability in any sport. People love to determine which team won based on the estimated value of each return. So naturally, everybody had thoughts about what the Chicago Bears pulled off with the Carolina Panthers on Friday. It was a massive blockbuster, to be sure. GM Ryan Poles wasn't going to make a move until he was confident he got what he felt his team needed. It is a safe bet he succeeded. For dropping eight spots to #9 overall, the Bears secured the 61st pick this year, a 1st in 2024, a 2nd in 2024, and wide receiver D.J. Moore.

It is believed Moore was the component that allowed the trade to go through so quickly. Poles wanted a proven veteran player, specifically somebody that could help quarterback Justin Fields. Moore has averaged over 1,000 yards in the past four seasons. He is 25 and has three years left on his current contract. Suddenly the Bears appear to have a young and explosive wide receiver room. That isn't counting the three extra picks, including a future 1st on top of it. Several experts weighed in after the trade went down.

Several of them agreed on one point. Chicago came out ahead.

The Chicago Bears should be happy.

That is ultimately what matters. Poles accomplished what he set out to do. He added a massive influx of picks to his inventory. He now has at least three selections in the top two rounds of the next three drafts. Last but certainly not least, he has a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver his young quarterback can build a connection with for at least the next three seasons. That is a fine piece of work for a GM. People will argue whether the pick in 2025 should've been another 1st. The fact is Poles had a choice. Either a lottery ticket with slightly better odds of hitting the jackpot or a proven investment (Moore) and a lottery ticket with slightly lower odds.

Poles chose the latter, and it's not hard to see why. The Chicago Bears made a sound, calculated decision and were rewarded handsomely. They now have ten picks in the 2023 draft, including four in the first three rounds. If their evaluations are sound, they should be able to nab at least two good players in that window. Poles said he wanted more bites at the apple. He got his wish. Now comes the hard part.