Latest Chicago Bears Trade Smoke Now Points To One Team

UPDATE: Bears trade #1 pick to Carolina - There are plenty of teams that could trade for the Chicago Bears' #1 pick. It's been discussed over and over for weeks at this point. However, with the scouting combine over, the real rumors have started. GM Ryan Poles feels a deal could be done as soon as the start of free agency. While not a guarantee, the momentum building in the insider community would suggest that isn't a bluff. One team is gaining steam above all the rest. That is the Carolina Panthers. A source told SM recently that both teams have the framework of a trade in place. Poles likely won't pull the trigger on it until he's explored all other possibilities.

This update is being fed by others now. Bill Zimmerman of Windy City Gridiron has proven to have decent contacts around the organization. He threw this up on Twitter a few hours ago.

Zimmerman has dropped similar hints in the past but that alone isn't worth getting excited over. Sure enough, less than an hour later, Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog poured gas on those flames.

Nothing is set in stone yet. Another team could jump in at some point to change talks. However, it's becoming clear the Panthers are determined to come up for their quarterback.

The Chicago Bears are likely waiting until at least March 15th.

One NFL rule is that teams can't trade 1st round picks more than two years into the future. That means if the Panthers plan to include a potential 1st round pick in 2025, that can't happen until the start of the new league year. That is the 15th. Belief is the Bears seek two future 1st rounders if they're going to drop out of the top five. Going from 1st overall to 9th is a huge drop. Compensation must be significant. Full details aren't known but it's expected a deal with the Panthers will include their 2nd this year, 1st in 2024, and 1st in 2025. That is unless they decide to include a player on their roster. Maybe edge rusher Brian Burns or defensive tackle Derrick Brown.

That seems unlikely, though.

Three quarterbacks are considered possibilities for the #1 pick. Bryce Young of Alabama is the favorite. That said, C.J. Stroud of Ohio State has gained steam over the past week. Some believe he is the one new Panthers head coach Frank Reich covets. There is also athletic freak Anthony Richardson of Florida. What makes this even better is the added rumors Tennessee at #11 also covet Stroud. That might be why they, too, have approached the Chicago Bears with interest. It will be interesting to see if they or somebody else tries to undercut Carolina. It sounds like they're running out of time.