The Carolina Panthers have finally put the cherry on top of the most embarrassing season in franchise history.
Sunday’s 26-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, coupled with the Arizona Cardinals’ upset win over the Philadelphia Eagles, officially clinched the Panthers the worst record of the 2023 campaign. And that, in a cruel twist of fate, has clinched the Chicago Bears the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft.
Chicago is now in this desirable position thanks to their blockbuster deal with Carolina from March 10—which was, of course, centered around this past year’s No. 1 overall pick. In exchange for the selection, the Panthers traded away wide receiver DJ Moore, 2023’s ninth overall pick, 2023’s 61st overall pick, their 2024 first-rounder (yeah, that one) and a 2025 second-rounder.
Ironically enough, the pick-clinching loss was headlined by an awful outing from the quarterback who was taken with 2023’s first overall pick. Rookie Bryce Young, in helping push the Panthers to a 2-14 mark, completed 19 of his 32 throws for 112 yards and an interception.
But hey, at least the Panthers still have the first overall pick of the second round!