The 2023 trade that sent the No. 1 overall pick from Chicago to Carolina continues to define the trajectories of both franchises and the two quarterbacks at its center: Bryce Young and Caleb Williams. This week, Young and the Panthers face the Packers on Thursday Night Football, while Williams and the Bears meet the Seahawks on Monday Night Football — a primetime showcase of the lasting impact of a deal that moved heaven and earth.
Trade Details
In March 2023, the Panthers jumped from the No. 9 pick to No. 1, sending a massive package to the Bears: the 2023 No. 9 overall pick (later traded back, yielding OT Darnell Wright and P Tory Taylor), a 2024 first-round pick (which became QB Caleb Williams), a 2023 second-round pick (used to trade up for CB Tyrique Stevenson), a 2025 second-round pick (which became WR Luther Burden III), and wide receiver DJ Moore. At the time, Chicago was committed to Justin Fields, while Carolina, under owner David Tepper, sought stability after years of quarterback carousel and coaching turnover.
Panthers' Struggles and Young's Rookie Season
Carolina's 2023 season was disastrous. The Panthers finished 2-15, earning the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft — a pick that belonged to Chicago. Young, the eventual No. 1 selection, took 62 sacks and posted a 4.6 net yards per attempt, the worst since Jimmy Clausen in 2010. Offensive coaching chaos saw Frank Reich fire offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, reclaim play-calling, and then get fired himself after a 1-11 start. The Panthers' ineptitude handed the Bears the top pick in the following draft.
Bears' Haul and Williams' Arrival
Chicago used its acquired picks to build around a new quarterback. Wright and Stevenson contributed as rookies, while Moore posted a career year (96 catches, 1,364 yards) in 2023. The Bears finished 7-10, an improvement but not enough to keep Fields. In 2024, they selected Williams No. 1 overall and added WR Rome Odunze at No. 9. Williams' rookie year mirrored Young's struggles: 68 sacks (tied for third-most in a season), coaching upheaval with Matt Eberflus fired midseason, and poor surrounding talent. However, the 2025 hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach sparked a dramatic turnaround.
Current Trajectories and Statistical Comparison
Through the 2025 season, the statistical gap between the two No. 1 picks is stark. Williams ranks 4th in EPA per dropback, 2nd in completion percentage, 7th in net yards per attempt, and 5th in touchdown-to-interception ratio. Young sits 16th, 29th, 12th, and 12th respectively. Young, after being benched in 2024 under Dave Canales, has shown improvement in 2025 under new offensive coordinator Brad Idzik, providing viable play for a Panthers team eyeing a playoff return. Williams, meanwhile, is on a path to superstardom under Johnson.
Long-term Impact and Future Outlook
The trade's dividends for Chicago keep compounding. Wright has become one of the NFL's best tackles, Stevenson remains a key contributor, Taylor ranks eighth in net punting average, and Burden leads the Bears in receptions (35) and yards (491) this season. Even the trade of Moore to the Bills this offseason yielded a second-round pick that became TE Sam Roush, LB Keyshaun Elliott, and a 2026 fourth-round pick. For Carolina, Young's recent progress and reduced owner interference offer a sliver of optimism, but the trade remains a landslide victory for the Bears — one that reshaped the franchise's fortunes and will continue to do so for years.
