There could be several teams in play for the #1 overall pick by the end of next month once free agency settles down. The Chicago Bears have no reason to rush things. Other teams are busy collecting data on the top quarterbacks in this class. Much of what happens will be determined at the scouting combine a week from now. Don't be surprised if chatter gets going around that time. In fact, it might be starting already. While Houston and Indianapolis are the hot topics regarding a trade for #1, one team picking up steam is the Carolina Panthers.
A source reached out to SM recently, stating they were among the most active in discussing such a possibility. Their top brass doesn't seem to fear an aggressive move and might put together a package the Bears can't resist. Time will tell, but it was interesting that not long after receiving this information Adam Jahns of The Athletic posted a column updating which teams are likeliest to deal for the pick. Panthers beat writer Joe Person had this to say about the idea of Carolina getting involved.
His choice of words was noteworthy.
"In the month or so since we last undertook this exercise, the Panthers hired a head coach with a long history of playing quarterback and coaching them in Frank Reich. They also hired Josh McCown, an NFL lifer, to coach quarterbacks, and brought in Jim Caldwell — another guy well known for his work with QBs — in a senior coaching role.
Those moves do not seem like a franchise ready to spin the veteran quarterback roulette again, especially given Reich’s experience in Indianapolis, where the QB carousel did not turn out favorably.
Could the Panthers sit at No. 9 and draft a quarterback? Sure. But they have an owner who’s yet to reach the playoffs since buying the team. So if they HAVE to have a guy at No. 1, David Tepper figures to sign off on it."
The Carolina Panthers must find their guy first.
How far are they willing to drop from the top spot? If Poles doesn't want to miss out on somebody like Jalen Carter or Will Anderson, Houston (#2) or Indianapolis (#4) make the most sense as trade partners. However, moving further down the board makes sense if he's looking for the best possible return on draft assets. Carolina has plenty of extra picks to offer and still sits in the top 10. Chicago would have a reasonable chance to land a high-quality talent at that #9 spot.
Everything comes down to the quarterback evaluations. If Carolina Panthers GM Scotter Fitterer, head coach Frank Reich, and owner David Tepper fall in love with one of the top options in this class, then they know the only way to guarantee landing him is by securing the Bears' #1 pick. That point of no return is looming. The scouting combine is next week. After that, the Ohio State, Alabama, and Kentucky pro days occur on March 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, respectively. Trade buzz should really pick up after that.
