CHICAGO (670 The Score) — The Bears have once again landed the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, this time thanks to the Panthers.
The Bears secured the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by virtue of the Panthers’ 26-0 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday and the Cardinals' 35-31 win against the heavily favored Eagles. Carolina dropped to an NFL-worst 2-14 with its loss, while Arizona improved to 4-12.
The Bears landed the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by going a league-worst 3-14 in the 2022 season. They then dealt that selection to the Panthers in March in exchange for star receiver DJ Moore and a haul of draft capital that included Carolina's first-round pick in 2024.
Behind rookie quarterback Bryce Young, whom Carolina selected with the top pick in the 2023, the Panthers have struggled all season. They lost their first six games.
As they hold the No. 1 overall pick in 2024, the Bears now face a key decision about their quarterback future. They'll have to decide between building around 24-year-old quarterback Justin Fields or trading him and using the No. 1 overall pick on USC's Caleb Williams or North Carolina's Drake Maye, the two prized quarterback prospects in this draft class.
If the Bears choose to build and invest around Fields, they'll likely look to trade the No. 1 overall pick again.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.