The NFL trade deadline is just over a week away, which means it's decision time for many teams.
Franchises have had seven weeks to assess where they are and what they think they are capable of in 2022 and beyond. For those that believe they can win it all, it's time to start calling around in search of that missing piece to try to push their roster over the top.
For those whose hope is already lost, the trade deadline can be a time to take advantage of the market and get draft capital or young players to begin building toward success in 2023.
The following teams are all much more likely to field competitive teams in 2023 than turn things around this season. With that in mind, they might be in a perfect position now to make significant moves to either clear cap space or stockpile some draft picks.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers' inclusion on this list feels a little like cheating. They've already started to blow things up by trading away Robbie Anderson and Christian McCaffrey, but they might not be done quite yet.
Carolina's 2022 campaign was dead on arrival with Matt Rhule on the hot seat and Baker Mayfield failing to elevate an offense that doesn't really have an identity.
With Anderson and McCaffrey sent to the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers, respectively, the Panthers' biggest potential trade chip now is D.J. Moore. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported the team has fielded "multiple trade calls" for the talented receiver, but they view him as a foundational piece.
Edge-rusher Brian Burns is another star teams have shown interest in, but he's only 24 years old and is under contract through 2023. Instead, it feels more likely that a veteran like linebacker Shaq Thompson or left tackle Taylor Moton could be on the move.
Both are 28 years old. Thompson has just one year left on his deal, so the Panthers would benefit from getting a pick now rather than relying on the compensatory formula later. Moton plays a premium position that several contenders could want to upgrade.
If teams are willing to part with a Day 2 pick for either of them, it could be worth it as the Panthers look to continue to stockpile picks in the 2023 draft.
Chicago Bears
If the Chicago Bears blow things up at the trade deadline, it should really be considered a continuation of the work general manager Ryan Poles started in the offseason.
The new general manager let Allen Robinson II walk in free agency and traded away Khalil Mack, moves that were part of his effort to clear the books and reshape the team to his vision after taking over for former general manager Ryan Pace.
The results have not been pretty on the field, as the Bears sit at 2-4 heading into a Monday Night Football matchup with the New England Patriots.
The good news is the Bears still have some assets that should interest contending squads. Moving them sooner rather than later could bring back more picks to aid the rebuild.
Roquan Smith requested a trade this offseason amid stalled contract negotiations. The linebacker ultimately came back to practice and rejoined the team, but they still don't have a new deal.
Then there's Robert Quinn. The 32-year-old has been limited to one sack in six games after recording 18.5 last year. Jason La Canfora of Sportsline reported the Bears have been actively shopping him.
Trading away Smith, Quinn or both would serve two purposes. Chicago would likely get at least one valuable pick in return, an it would clear even more cap space. The Bears are already set up to have over $106 million to spend next offseason, per Spotrac.
In other words, the Bears are virtually guaranteed to look much different this time next season.