Lose, Lose Situation

By Mike Rifkin

The Carolina Panthers lost 16-13 to the Chicago Bears on Thursday night. The loss drops the Panthers to 1-8 on the season, and that is not even the worst part about losing. If they had that pick, the Panthers would have the first overall pick in the draft this coming April. The Panthers traded their ninth overall pick in last year’s draft, their first rd pick this coming April, a 2025 second-round pick, and receiver DJ Moore to the Bears in exchange for the first overall pick. 

The Panthers used that first overall pick on Alabama Quarterback Bryce Young. Young could have been better against the Bears, going 21-38 for 185 yards, and was sacked three times. On the season, Bryce Young has completed 62.8 percent of his passes for 1,560 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. Bryce Young has also been sacked 29 times. 

DJ Moore, a big part of the trade, had five catches for 58 yards. For the season, Moore has 52 receptions for 793 yards and five touchdowns. Moore has more yards and touchdowns than any current Panthers in yards and touchdowns. Moore is also averaging over 15 yards per catch. The Panthers were searching for a number-one receiver at the trade deadline. Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton of the Broncos were the most prominent names, but nothing happened. So the Panthers, with their 1-8 record, have to acquire a big-name receiver. Whether through free agency with names like Tee Higgins, Calvin Ridley, Mike Evans, and Tyler Boyd are available. Suppose it’s a trade for one of the Bronco receivers or someone else. Or if it’s through the draft, they must get outside help for Bryce Young. Speaking of the draft, if the Panthers still had their first-round pick, number one overall, they could select Marvin Harrison Jr. from Ohio State University. Instead, they might see the Chicago Bears be able to select their future franchise Quarterback, and Harrison and the Panthers will have to look back and say, was Bryce Young worth it? 

This is not me harping on Bryce Young; this is about the Panthers making a decision they might regret because last night was a lose-lose for the Panthers.