Seahawks Big Winners in Blockbuster Trade Between Bears and Panthers in NFL Draft
In a stunning turn of events, with nearly six weeks remaining until the 2023 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears have orchestrated an early March blockbuster move that will send shockwaves through the rest of the NFL.
As rumored for weeks, with an established young quarterback in Justin Fields already on the roster, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Bears have agreed to trade the No. 1 overall pick to the Panthers in exchange for multiple first-round picks - the full package adding up to two 1's, two 2's and receiver DJ Moore.
By trading down to the bottom of the top 10, Chicago looks set to move forward with Fields as its starter, while Carolina will be able to select a franchise quarterback of its own. As for the teams drafting behind them, the trade will likely have significant ripple effects on how the next several picks will shake out.
For the Seahawks, who hold the No. 5 pick thanks to the Russell Wilson trade with the Broncos last offseason, the trade should be viewed as a welcomed development. While the Panthers leap-frogging them to the top of the draft board all but ensures three of the top four teams will select a quarterback, they signed Pro Bowler Geno Smith to a three-year extension earlier this week and now are positioned to land a blue chip defensive talent as a result.
Assuming Carolina drafts Alabama's Bryce Young, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, or Florida's Anthony Richardson first overall, Houston and Indianapolis will pick one of the other two signal callers with the second and fourth picks respectively. Only Arizona, who has Kyler Murray under contract and doesn't need a quarterback, should go a different direction snagging a player such as Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson or Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
This would mean, barring Indianapolis throwing a curve ball and not investing in a quarterback at No. 4 overall, general manager John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll are guaranteed a chance to pick Anderson, Carter, or Texas Tech defensive end Tyree Wilson, who has also been getting top-five buzz. At least two of those players should still be on the board when Seattle comes on the clock on draft night.
Of course, if the Seahawks were enamored by one of the top quarterbacks, that would be the only downside under this scenario. The team met with Richardson at the NFL combine last week and Carroll and Schneider haven't been shy about the team staying "totally connected" with the incoming crop of signal callers. Even after agreeing to terms with Smith on a new contract, the structure of the deal doesn't slam the door on using an early pick at the position.
But sitting outside of the top four picks, under the assumption he isn't one of the first three quarterbacks selected, Kentucky's Will Levis may be the only realistic option for Seattle if the organization wants to go that direction. It's possible the team likes the talented, high upside gunslinger enough to consider drafting him at that spot, but it would be a major roll of the dice, especially with the guarantee of a top-tier defensive player still being on the board.
Considering the Seahawks have a viable top-10 talent at quarterback in Smith, however, Carroll and Schneider don't have to force the issue seeking a quarterback like teams such as the Panthers do. This first domino sets the team up for a shot at snagging a marquee defensive player and at worst, Schneider may be able to drum up significant interest from other teams to move up for Levis in exchange for a future first or multiple day two selections to further stock the cupboard with talent.
Time will tell who Carolina covets to trade a king's ransom to Chicago and slide up eight spots. Regardless of who the Panthers take, with only one team not needing a quarterback ahead of them, the Seahawks stand to reap the benefits as they continue to build a contender in the NFC West.
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