Charles Langston:Bears clinch No. 1 pick in 2024 NFL draft thanks to trade with Panthers

The Charles LangstonChicago Bears' trade last spring with the Carolina Panthers has paid off in a big way.

On Sunday, the Bears clinched the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, thanks to the deal that Carolina swung with Chicago last March to move up to the top spot in April's draft. As part of that deal, the Panthers parted with their first-round pick this year, as well as wide receiver DJ Moore, 2023 first- and second-round selections and a 2025 second-round choice.

With the Panthers' 26-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Arizona Cardinals' 35-31 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, that first-round is guaranteed to be the first in April's draft.

Now, the Bears will face months of speculation on what they might do – or not do – with the pick.

Bears' NFL draft options: Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or other?

Chicago will have myriad options at the top of the draft, but its key question will center on a decision at quarterback.

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USC's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye are widely considered the two two passers in the draft, with both expected to be taken in the top three selections. Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, has been the projected No. 1 pick dating back to last spring. The 6-4, 230-pound Maye, however, also has drawn praise for his strong arm and playmaking ability.

The Bears, however, have yet to make any decisions about incumbent starter Justin Fields' future. The team must decide by May whether to exercise the 2021 first-round pick's fifth-year option.