The Athletic

The smell of impatience wafted over the early picks in the 2023 NFL Draft even before the Panthers decided last week they were getting the first choice at quarterback. Carolina’s trade up from No. 9 to No. 1 sent a shockwave through the league because of both the ginormous haul shipped to the Bears and the timing. The deal occurred less than 72 hours before the unofficial start of free agency and just under seven weeks before the draft — the earliest a team has moved the No. 1 pick since at least 1978. Panthers owner David Tepper has been overt about addressing his team’s long-running QB hole. His aggressive general manager, Scott Fitterer, checked that box — and perhaps set the tone for what’s to come …