Panthers might now trade down from No. 1 pick in NFL Draft twist

There could potentially be a second trade for the No. 1 overall pick.

acquired from the Bears on Friday — “if they end up liking” more than one quarterback.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter echoed Person’s report.

The Panthers will decide between Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Alabama’s Bryce Young and Kentucky’s Will Levis, Person later wrote.

After weeks of speculation surrounding whether the Bears would keep the No. 1 pick or trade it, they finalized a deal with Carolina that featured a return of picks No. 9 and No. 61 in the 2023 NFL Draft, a first-round pick in 2024, a second-round pick in 2025 and wideout D.J. Moore, according to ESPN.

It marked the 13th time the No. 1 overall pick had been traded in NFL history, according to ESPN, and the first instance since 2016, when the Rams traded up and selected Jared Goff.

Four of the previous 12 trades involving the top pick ended with a quarterback drafted, and if the Panthers keep the selection, that number would likely increase to five.

Charlotte Observer columnist Scott Fowler reported the same strategy as The Athletic, citing an anonymous Panthers source who said, “We control it now” in regards to the top of the draft board.

The Panthers, dealt to the 49ers.