The trade that the NFL community has been eagerly awaiting went down late Friday afternoon. (No, not the announcement of Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers…)
Chicago did as expected, freeing up the first pick in the 2023 draftand from Carolina, multiple reports No. 9 pick and second-rounder this year (No. 61 overall), first- and second-rounder in 2024 and Pro Bowl-caliber WR DJ Moore.
The move is sure to have major ramifications for the draft and, perhaps, the running back market in general — not to mention free agency, which officially begins next week.
Here’s a look at who’s winning … and who’s not:
THE WINNERS
Carolina Panthers: They’ve been searching for a franchise quarterback since Cam Newton was in his prime. Teddy Bridgewater was not the answer. Darnold himself was not the answer. Baker Mayfield was not the answer. Deshaun Watson didn’t come. But now, at a significant cost, a new era. GM Scott Fitterer and new coach Frank Reich will have their pick of highly touted draft prospects such as Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s CJ Stroud, Florida’s Anthony Richardson and Kentucky’s Will Levis.
Chicago Bears: A team that finished the 2022 season with arguably the worst overall roster in the league—and almost definitely in the NFC—suddenly has new life, pairing its newly acquired draft capital with ample salary cap space.
Justin Fields: In his second NFL season, the young running back has been effective as a single tackler in the Windy City, passing for 2,242 yards and 17 TDs and rushing for 1,143 yards and eight scores. Now he has Moore with what should be top signings in what could now be a very fast rebuild focused on Fields’ prized talent.
Lamar Jackson: Along with the Panthers and Houston Texans, who own the second overall pick, almost certainly tied for the top running backs in the draft, the franchise superstar of the Baltimore Ravens can suddenly find market development despite reports that several teams did not want to include him in negotiations after he was tagged on Tuesday. But it certainly seems like the pendulum of QB supply and demand could swing in his favor.
Aaron Rodgers: His flirtation with the New York Jets appears to be ending quickly. But who’s to say Friday’s news won’t prompt another team to pounce on him?
NFL FREE AGENCY 2023: Ranking the 23* best players available as the market prepares to open
JARRETT BELL: The Ravens drew a line with QB Lamar Jackson … and another NFL team could cross it
Geno Smith: The the rookie quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks he gets just a little more security with his team, which is fifth overall, now clearly further away from the leading passing prospects as the top of the board comes together. Coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider now have an even better chance of landing one of the draft’s top overall prospects, namely Alabama DE/OLB Will Anderson or even (still) Georgia DT Jalen Carter, both of which would indirectly benefit Smith.
THE LOSERS
Indianapolis Colts: With the Panthers and division rival Texans ahead of them, Indy is now effectively looking at taking the third or fourth-ranked quarterback in GM Chris Ballard’s draft. And the Colts may still have to move up from No. 4 to get the No. 3 pick from the Arizona Cardinals to ensure they get the guy they like best after years of treading water with veterans who have never been able to truly fill the offense after the stunning retirement of Andrew Lucca 2019.
Las Vegas Raiders: HC Josh McDaniels expressed his desire at the scouting combine to find a long-term answer under center after the team released Derek Carr last month. But the Silver and Black, who pick seventh overall next month, now find themselves in an even more precarious position than the Colts when it comes to selecting a quarterback this year.
Atlanta Falcons: Same as the Colts and Raiders – except ATL picks eighth. Barring a big move to Arizona’s spot, they’ll have to hope 2022 third-rounder Desmond Ridder really blossoms … or they’ll reconsider their perceived reluctance to compete at Jackson, though they certainly have room for that, not to mention her seats to be filled at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Chase Claypool: The young receiver did little to stand out (14 catches in seven games) in Chicago after being acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers at last year’s trade deadline in a move that has already aged poorly from the Bears’ perspective, given that Pittsburgh ended up winning 32nd place overall. select. With Moore coming in — he’s not only a better wideout than Claypool, but also under contract through 2025 — the former Notre Dame standout likely won’t be Fields’ primary option in 2023 … which will consequently make it harder for him to broker a big payout in free agency a year from now.
***
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bears-Panthers trade: Winners, losers as No. 1 pick in 2023 draft