NFL Rumors: Bears GM reveals Panthers’ biggest motivation for trade to No. 1

The Chicago Bears held the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft but traded it to the Carolina Panthers for a reason that sounds outlandish but makes the most sense.

When the Chicago Bears clinched the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, they had the power to control everything that happens, including trades.

Now, they passed it on to the Carolina Panthers, and general manager Ryan Poles was straightforward with his response when being asked about it.

"“I knew from the jump that they were a team that really wanted their quarterback,” Poles said of the Panthers. “They wanted to control the draft. That meant a lot to them. They got in front early, at the combine. I had a good relationship with their general manager, Scott Fitterer, and felt like at that time it was best to close on the deal when we did, instead of dragging it out.”"

Indeed it was the right move; the holes on the Bears’ roster are far greater than any team in the NFL at this moment. Even with their free-agent signings, the holes are still glaring, even those that have viable starters in them. They had to trade down from No. 1 in order to get picks to help build their team, and they can stay at No. 9 and take a good player or move down again if they so choose.

Bears were willing to relinquish control of the NFL Draft with the right trade partner and right price

Things have changed in Chicago, and for good reason. Last season was merely to see who deserves to stick around for the long haul and who needs to move on. Only a few players from the Ryan Pace era are likely to stick around, but more changes are coming.

Thanks to this deal with the Panthers, Carolina can now control what quarterback they want to move forward with, while Chicago can continue to move down if they choose and stockpile draft picks to ensure that they build a contender. It’s not just about acquiring picks; it’s about using them on the right players.

Both sides got the options they wanted, and it’s possible both will be making more deals down the line, but right now, Chicago has opted to move in the direction they want, and it could be for the best or for the worst. They seem content now, and we should leave them to it.