The blockbuster trade that general manager Ryan Poles made with the Panthers on March 10, 2023, is the gift that keeps on giving for the Bears.
Two of the players they selected in this year's draft were taken with picks that Poles acquired because of that deal: USC quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall and Iowa punter Tory Taylor in the fourth round.
To recap the trade, the Bears sent the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft to Carolina in exchange for receiver DJ Moore and selections in the first (No. 9) and second rounds (No. 61) in 2023, a 2024 first-round choice that turned out to be the No. 1 overall pick and a 2025 second-round selection.
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The Panthers chose quarterback Bryce Young at No. 1.
The Bears traded down a second time in the first round, from No. 9 to 10, taking right tackle Darnell Wright and acquiring a 2024 fourth-round choice from the Eagles that they spent on Taylor.
Philadelphia picked defensive tackle Jalen Carter at No. 9.
In the second round last year, the Bears dealt a fifth-round selection to the Jaguars to move up five spots from No. 61 and chose cornerback Tyrique Stevenson.
Jacksonville picked outside linebacker Yasir Abdullah in the fifth round (No. 136).
Here's a recap of the haul the Bears obtained in exchange for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft:
• Receiver DJ Moore
The sixth-year pro surpassed even the highest expectations in his first season in Chicago, establishing career highs in all receiving categories with 96 catches for 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns. The 1,364 yards were the sixth most in the NFL this season and the fourth most in Bears history.
• Right tackle Darnell Wright
The 6-6, 333-pounder showed promise as a rookie while starting all 17 games, establishing himself as a core piece on offense.
• Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson
Stevenson emerged as a playmaker against both the run and pass as a rookie, registering 86 tackles and two forced fumbles, tying for the team lead with four interceptions and topping the defense with 16 pass breakups. He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week late in the season after recording two interceptions, five tackles and four pass breakups in a 37-17 win over the Falcons.
• Quarterback Caleb Williams
The Bears spent the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft on Williams, the consensus top prospect in a draft loaded with talented quarterbacks. Williams generated 120 touchdowns (93 passing and 27 rushing) in three seasons at Oklahoma (2021) and USC (2022-23) and won the Heisman Trophy in 2022.
• Punter Tory Taylor
Last season Taylor won the Ray Guy Award as the nation's best punter and was named First-Team All-American after averaging an NCAA-record 48.2 yards on 93 punts, placing 32 inside-the-20 with seven touchbacks. Taylor appeared in 49 games the past four seasons for the Hawkeyes, averaging 46.3 yards on 295 punts, placing 127 inside-the-20 with 32 touchbacks.
• 2025 second-round selection
