The Chicago Bears made a blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers, acquiring wide receiver DJ Moore, as well as two first-rounders and two second-rounders in exchange for the No. 1 pick.
Moore was a big sticking point for Poles during trade negotiations, as Poles opted for Moore instead of an additional first-round pick in 2025. But it sounds like Moore wasn’t the only player Poles was interested in.
According to Joseph Person, Adam Jahns and Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic, Panthers pass rusher Brian Burns and defensive tackle Derrick Brown were also on Poles’ radar.
“Usually young teams like that, they want all picks,” Carolina general manager Scott Fitterer said. “In (Poles’) situation, I think it helped that they had some cap space they needed to fill. And then they have a young quarterback that they need to figure out is he the guy going forward.”
All three players — Moore, Burns and Brown — came at huge positions of need for the team. Following the first waves of free agency, the defensive line remains a huge priority for Chicago.
The acquisition of Moore was the team’s biggest move this offseason and a game-changer in every aspect. The Bears finally gave quarterback Justin Fields the No. 1 wide receiver he’s been missing — and they have Moore locked down through 2025.
Moore has produced under less-than-ideal circumstances with poor quarterback play over the years. Still, he’s managed three 1,000-yard seasons. Moore is everything the Bears need to help get their passing game going.
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