CJ Stroud to the Panthers? Fans, media react to major trade for No. 1 pick in 2023 NFL Draft

CJ Stroud could be in line for some positive news after a major blockbuster deal was reported on Friday.

According to various sources, the Chicago Bears are trading the No. 1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers for a package of assets. With Carolina paying such a heavy price, many are speculating the Panthers will take their top pick from the star-studded group of quarterback prospects available.

For much of the offseason, Alabama’s Bryce Young has been the betting favorite to become the top pick of the draft. Following the trade, that number has significantly swung in favor of Stroud.

Stroud has quickly jumped to -175 and then to -225 odds to become the top pick in the draft as of 6:23 pm ET per DraftKings.com. Bryce Young is now second in odds to be the top pick at +175.

Fans and media were also among those to quickly connect the dots that Stroud could be the QB on Carolina’s radar after a dynamite showing at the NFL Combine:

Watch this video of McCown fawning over CJ Stroud and it will be pretty readily apparent who the Panthers just traded up for.https://t.co/Sgsiv8260i

— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) March 10, 2023

Smart: Panthers trading for CJ Stroud

Dumb: Panthers trading up for Levis or Richardson

In between: Panthers trading up for Young.

— Scott Carasik (@CarasikS) March 10, 2023

CJ Stroud with Frank Reich would be a lovely marriage…

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) March 10, 2023

Frank Reich stealing CJ Stroud from the Colts, after convincing Ballard to trade for Carson Wentz would be an all-time villain move. I’ll be looking at Panthers fans like… pic.twitter.com/kjaMMoLr0V

— Pierre Wilson (@pwee31) March 10, 2023

And. Here. We. Go.

Great haul for Chicago. Panthers must feel pretty confident in their QB choice – I’m guessing it’s CJ Stroud because of his seamless fit with Frank Reich and being more pro ready than AR.

Definitely glad it wasn’t the Colts who jumped the #Texans 😅 https://t.co/dakiW9r6w5

— Jordan Pun (@Texans_Thoughts) March 10, 2023

Panthers taking CJ Stroud💔💔 the dream is dead pic.twitter.com/Oz1XdwsED1

— Tyrae (@imTyraee) March 10, 2023

Will CJ Stroud be the first pick and the Panthers’ new franchise QB? pic.twitter.com/xSxOJq7hFj

— Max (Trip) (@tripnfl) March 10, 2023

With the 1st pick in the NFL Draft the Carolina Panthers select CJ Stroud. I like the sounds of that. pic.twitter.com/pvRFVy49FP

— CleBuckeye (@CleBuckeye23) March 10, 2023

If I’m the Panthers, I’m doing whatever it takes to go up and get a QB. A 2023 starter isn’t falling to No. 9 overall. Identify and go get your guy. Even if it means go to No. 1 overall.

For me it would be CJ Stroud in that scheme and with those weapons. Re-sign Foreman, add a… https://t.co/mYiWCb7rOM pic.twitter.com/yPkLL7HJl1

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) March 10, 2023

I think the first 3 picks are locked in

1. Panthers – CJ Stroud

2. Texans – Bryce Young

3. Cardinals – Will Anderson

— Steven Padillas (@Falcons_Pad) March 10, 2023

Outlook for Stroud

Should Stroud go No. 1 overall, he would become the 4th No. 1 pick all-time for the Buckeyes. The most recent No. 1 pick from Ohio State was Orlando Pace in the 1997 NFL Draft.

As for Stroud’s prospects with the Panthers, that would be tougher to project. Carolina is in a full rebuild mode, and giving up a big package of picks could put the team thin on help for a young QB as he looks to start his career.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.