The Chicago Bears pulled off highway robbery against the Carolina Panthers

The Chicago Bears should be estatic they have the Panthers' first-round pick.
Chicago Bears, Ryan Poles
Chicago Bears, Ryan Poles / Quinn Harris/GettyImages
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When the Chicago Bears beat the Carolina Panthers on 'Thursday Night Football' this year, it was a much-needed win. It was also a big win for the Bears in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Currently, the Bears have the rights to the Panthers' first-round draft pick thanks to an offseason trade. It's expected to be the No. 1 overall selection if the season ends today, per Tankathon. The Bears' own first-rounder is projected to be the No. 5 overall pick.

This trade gave the Chicago Bears the right to draft offensive tackle Darnell Wright, who has started in every game for the Bears and is improving with every snap. It also gave them wideout D.J. Moore--the Bears' current leading receiver.

It's a big win for a Bears team that is trying to stock as many future picks as possible.

It's likely that head coach Matt Eberflus will be fired after this season. Owning the No. 1 pick in next year's draft gives the Bears' future head coach a major building block.

With so many options, they can draft a quarterback like USC's Caleb Williams or UNC's Drake Maye. if they decide to keep Justin Fields around, they can draft the best player available and try to help out Fields.

The Bears, loaded with young playmakers on both sides of the ball and tons of draft capital, are an intriguing landing spot. Out of all the teams with a losing record, the Bears were named the one with the brightest future by Yardbarker.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and Washington Commanders head coach Eric Bieneimy have been linked to the Bears, per previous reporting by Bear Goggles On.

Trading the No. 1 overall pick to the Panthers is one of general manager Ryan Poles' best moves. The Roquan Smith and Chase Claypool trades had mixed results, but trading the No. 1 pick was definitely a victory for Poles.


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The Bears are expected to draft UNC quarterback Drake Maye in the 2024 NFL Draft.