The Carolina Panthers lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday of Week 17. That, combined with the Arizona Cardinals’ upset of the Philadelphia Eagles, assured Carolina the No. 1 slot in the 2024 NFL draft.
That’s another loss for the NFC South team as it doesn’t own the rights to its first-round pick. The selection belongs to the Chicago Bears, courtesy of the trade that sent Carolina the Bears’ No. 1 pick in 2023 and turned into Bryce Young.
Meanwhile, the Bears are on the clock for the second year in a row. This time, a week earlier than many would have expected.
Chicago now has clinched the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Bears are on the clock.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 31, 2023
The Bears could opt to trade the pick, again, if they decide they are set with Justin Fields at quarterback. Or, they could use it and select a QB like Caleb Williams of USC.
The only thing that is certain is Chicago has plenty of time to think about what it wants to do.