I'd say that's a 4-5 win team at most, if they go into the season with a rookie QB being thrown into the fire.

Last year their best QB play came from Sam Darnold. I’m not sure how much worse a rookie can play than that guy.

They’re terrible, sure, but that division is gross.

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I mentioned something similar to what Antioch said when the Moore trade went down. They went 7-10 during a season where the fired a coach mid-year and also traded their best player. They somewhat righted the ship and threatened to win the division at the end.

This year it's not known if they take a step "backward" at QB. They had like four QBs last year, all of whom were either bad or meh. So, if anything, the difference between a rookie QB and Darnold/Bayfield/Tucker/whomever is possibly not as steep as one would think. I mean, if it is steep, maybe your QB is a bust.

They lost Moore but patched things up well enough with Thielan and Chark. When combined with the Sanders signing and the horrible division, all this suggests the Panthers could once again hover around 500.

Two games against ATL
Two against NO
Two against TB

Not hard to see them winning at least 4 of those games.

Long story short: I don't think it's a lock that the pick we got is top 5. It could be, but the roster isn't weak enough to see it as a fait accompli.

_________________
Successful calls:

Kyrie Irving will never win anything as a team's alpha: check
T.rubisky is a bust: check
Ben Simmons is a liability: check
The Fields Cult is dumb: double check

2013 CSFMB ROY

I just looked to see what Darnold did last year. I think there is potential for much much worse than that.

They also have less incentive to tank if they get off to a bad start with no #1 pick.

Then they really fucked up with this trade.

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They have talent, but I think the team rallied around Wilks at the end of the year and ended up exceeding expectations. The division has enough question marks that 7+ wins may be a possibility.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

I would agree with that.

The veteran decently talented free agents suggest they're taking the opposite of the Bears approach: they want to surround the QB with actual NFL players.

_________________
Successful calls:

Kyrie Irving will never win anything as a team's alpha: check
T.rubisky is a bust: check
Ben Simmons is a liability: check
The Fields Cult is dumb: double check

2013 CSFMB ROY

Outside of Sanders, they signed guys who are old and/or injury prone.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

Still, if I'm a QB I'd rather be throwing to has-been Thielan as opposed to WRs whose best skill is blocking (St Brown).

_________________
Successful calls:

Kyrie Irving will never win anything as a team's alpha: check
T.rubisky is a bust: check
Ben Simmons is a liability: check
The Fields Cult is dumb: double check

2013 CSFMB ROY

I agree.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

Miles Sanders had a career year in a contract year, in an offense designed to accentuate his abilities. He also played a full season for the first time in his career. I expect a drop off.

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

As someone who owns stock in Miles Sanders, I believe you are wrong. Philly misused him. Even in his big games, he had limited opportunities. They also refused to pass the ball to him despite him being a good pass catching back. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a better season.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

let's bet 1 million CFMB dollars

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I'll take that $100 wager with some injury protection.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

Heard a podcast where they quoted a GM who said, "It's hard to get better at QB, but easy to get worse".

I think there will be another trade down out there on draft day.

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

There was a report that a trade to number #2 was finalized with a move then to #9 in place but they couldn't finalize the move to 9.

I just have to keep reminding myself I am satisfied with what we got for 9.

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

What was the holdup? This seems odd considering the relationship Poles has with the Carolina GM.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

Who did better, Cardinals or Bears GM?

Bears got a little more, maybe, but the Cards got a lot of value from #3 and still got the top OT in the draft

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Did they?

_________________

some think they did and they obviously felt strongly about it

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Here's the comparison side to side:

Bears recieve:

pick 9
pick 61
1st round 2024
second round 2025
DJ Moore

Cardinals Receive:

Pick 12
Pick 33
1st round 2024
3rd round 2024

_________________
Successful calls:

Kyrie Irving will never win anything as a team's alpha: check
T.rubisky is a bust: check
Ben Simmons is a liability: check
The Fields Cult is dumb: double check

2013 CSFMB ROY

I'd bet the Texans are worse than Panthers next year. The picks are very close. DJ Moore is the key.

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.