The trade between the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers will likely be remembered as one of the most lopsided trades in NFL history. Recapping the trade, the Bears sent the 2023 No. 1 overall pick to the Panthers in exchange for D.J. Moore and a plethora of draft picks that turned into Darnell Wright, Tyrique Stevenson, Caleb Williams, and Tory Taylor, plus a 2025 second-round pick. For the Panthers, drafting Bryce Young with the Bears’ first overall pick hasn’t panned out, with Young now benched in favor of veteran Andy Dalton. With significant changes looming for Carolina, one potential move could involve recouping lost draft capital by trading star defensive tackle Derrick Brown to the Bears.
Bears Should Inquire About Panthers Star Player’s Availability
Bears Eyed Derrick Brown During Trade With the Panthers
There’s history with the Bears showing interest in Brown. According to Joseph Person, Adam Jahns, and Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic, Poles didn’t just inquire about D.J. Moore during trade discussions. In 2023, he also checked on the availability of pass-rusher Brian Burns and defensive tackle Derrick Brown. Ultimately, the Panthers chose to part with Moore instead.
How Trading Derrick Brown Could Make Sense for the Panthers
For Panthers fans, it’s hard to think of a scenario where they trade Derrick Brown. Bears fans felt a similar reluctance in 2022 when the team traded star linebacker Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens. However, the reality is that the Panthers need a full rebuild. Things aren’t working in Carolina, and the best course of action is to confront their struggles head-on. The Panthers aren’t going to make any significant noise in the playoffs for the next couple of years, so holding onto their few remaining star players may not be the best approach. Instead, they should focus on recouping lost draft capital and building a new foundation with a fresh identity.
Brown, who was placed on injured reserve after just one game this season due to a season-ending meniscus injury, recently signed a four-year, $96 million contract extension. The question is whether keeping him on the roster is still the right move for the Panthers. Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the Bears would greatly benefit from acquiring a player of Brown’s caliber.
Derrick Brown Could Be the Key to Building the NFL’s Top Defense in Chicago
Derrick Brown is a force at defensive tackle, coming off a stellar 2023 season where he recorded 103 tackles—the most ever by an NFL defensive lineman in a single season. In addition, Brown played an astounding 89.1% of Carolina’s defensive snaps that year, an impressive feat for a player standing 6’5″ and weighing 320 pounds.
The Bears would benefit from having a player like Brown on the team. While Chicago is known for its elite defense, its defensive line hasn’t reached top-tier status. Before the season, reports indicated the Bears were looking to upgrade at defensive tackle. Adding Brown to the lineup would likely propel Chicago’s defense from a top-five unit to potentially the best in the league. Young talents like Gervon Dexter Sr. and Austin Booker would thrive under Brown’s mentorship, and his presence would raise the level of play across the defense.
Though Brown is on injured reserve and won’t return until 2025, the Bears should explore whether he’s available via trade. If the two sides can come to an agreement, it’ll be a win-win situation.
Potential Trade Details
Bears Receive: Derrick Brown
Panthers Receive: 2025 First-Round Pick, 2025 Sixth-Round Pick
Derrick Brown's final 2023 stats:
103 Tackles (NFL Record for DL)
2 sacks, 6 Pass Breakups, 15 QB Hits
7 Tackles for Loss
1 INT
90.1 PFF Grade (#4 among DTs)
48% run stop win rate (#1 among DTs) pic.twitter.com/92SHiHZmSL— The 4 Man Rush (@4ourmanrush) January 8, 2024
Main Image: Jim Dedmon – USA Today Sports
