One common misconception about trades involving players is that when they happen, the team giving up the player is happy to see them go. That is one of the biggest myths in sports. There are many times when it is the complete opposite. The team doesn’t want to trade the player at all. Sadly, they feel like they have little choice. A sacrifice must be made for the greater good. It sounds like that is precisely what happened with the Carolina Panthers when they gave up D.J. Moore to secure the #1 overall pick.
Drew Rosenhaus is one of the top agents in professional sports and Moore’s representative. He was right in the middle of negotiations between the Panthers and Chicago Bears once the receiver became involved. During an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Rosenhaus made it clear Carolina heavily resisted the idea of giving up Moore. However, Bears GM Ryan Poles was adamant. If they wanted to make a deal early, they would have to include a prominent player. Unwilling to involve Brian Burns or Derrick Brown, the other two possibilities, the Panthers reluctantly agreed.
To say delivering the news was emotional would be an understatement.
This proves the Bears did right getting D.J. Moore.
When grown men literally shed tears when having to trade somebody, that speaks to what the player meant to the organization. Much of it was his play on the field. Moore was easily the Panthers’ best offensive weapon in the passing game for five years. He helped the team navigate some rough quarterback waters from the decline of Cam Newton through the Sam Darnold era. He was able to produce 1,000-yard seasons despite that, which speaks to his talent. Yet beyond that is the person. Moore was lauded for his leadership and outstanding character as a teammate. Everybody loved him.
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It isn’t hard to see why the Bears were adamant about getting him. He fits everything they want in a player. He’s athletic, tough, works hard, plays with intensity, and is also a tremendous person. That is the kind of player you can win a lot of games with. Justin Fields should be a happy man. Poles deserves tons of credit for not backing down in his demands. He knew the leverage he had and used it. The Panthers won’t lose sleep over the deal in the long term if they find the right quarterback. As for D.J. Moore, he could be the key to helping unlock this passing game.
“Doc” Martin Melhus, PhD — Take the Bears’ coaches at their word, when they state, “Justin Fields (JF1) holds the ball too long.” And then, understand exactly what they have been trying to communicate. It’s the QB — and no one else — that functions as both, the linchpin and the metronome, in an NFL offense. Everything starts with him. Whether it’s the most sophisticated version of West Coast Offense (WCO) since coach Bill Walsh, or the most simplified “touchdown or checkdown” approach, everything is set in motion by the QB — and continues that way until he releases the… Read more »
Considering the fact that the Bears also want Burns or Brown indicates that they’re probably looking to go DT or edge rusher in the draft. If Carter falls to us I’d be shocked if we don’t take him.
This was a great move. Since we get the Panthers first-round pick next year, we might end up with #1 again. Bear Down!
I seem to recall DJ Moore taking his helmet off and drawing a 15 yard penalty after a big TD catch against Atlanta last year. The penalty moved ATL into FG range and ultimately cost DJ’s Panthers the game. So let’s not pat DJ on the back too hard just yet. You get some bad with all the good.
It’s ironic, but it appears that a story in “The Athletic” confirms that Ryan Poles still has some very real concerns about QB, Justin Fields — concerns that GM Poles shares with @GhostTomahawk 34. These concerns came to the surface during negotiations of the “blockbuster” trade with the Carolina Panthers, in which the Bears would ultimately receive veteran WR, DJ Moore. “After coming to the conclusion that an ideal trade would include a player, Poles turned his attention to Panthers star pass rusher Brian Burns, defensive tackle Derrick Brown and Moore. . .” according to the report. “We couldn’t get… Read more »