DJ Moore's Agent Says Panthers 'Were in Tears' During Trade Call

The Panthers never planned to trade wide receiver, DJ Moore. In fact, they believed he would be one of the major pieces in helping the organization get things turned around considering the two sides agreed to a four-year, $61.9M contract extension last March.

But in order for Carolina to secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from the Chicago Bears, Moore had to be involved in the trade.

"By no means did the Panthers want to trade DJ, but the Bears were smart," Moore's agent Drew Rosenhaus said on The Pat McAfee Show. "They knew the Panthers really wanted to draft a quarterback. They were insisted on getting DJ as a part of that package and they landed a number one wide receiver for Justin Fields. Great trade for the Bears. The Panthers feel like it's a great trade for them. Time will tell, depends on how good C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young is if they happen to pick one of those two guys.

"The Panthers were in tears, literally, when they called DJ," Rosenhaus added. "It was emotional for them. DJ was fine with it because when a team trades for you, they invest capital in you. And that means you're more valuable. That means you're going to get a new contract sooner. That means you're more likely to have a greater career with a team that trades for you. Emotionally, it's hard for a guy like DJ, who was drafted in the first round by the Panthers, has a home there, his family's there, loves it there. But you understand the business component."

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