Everybody knows the story by now. After a tense wait through the first 10 picks of the 2021 draft, the Chicago Bears engineered a deal with the New York Giants. One that saw them move up from #20 to #11 in order to secure quarterback Justin Fields. A move that stunned many across the league. How had arguably the most talented QB in the draft fallen that far and how had other teams let the Bears get him? Another reminder that there is no predicting the draft.
Also, every story comes with unexpected twists and turns. While the final deal came together at the 11th pick, it wasn’t the first target GM Ryan Pace had in mind. He was aiming considerably higher as it turns out. Recent reports revealed that he’d spoken to every team picking between #8 and #12 about the possibility of moving up. A surefire sign the Bears really wanted Fields and were willing to do what it takes if the price wasn’t astronomical.
Now a few more details about that process have emerged.
A few days ago it was revealed the Denver Broncos had spoken extensively with the Bears about a trade. In the end, Pace decided the price they were asking for wasn’t worth it. According to Darin Gantt of Panthers.com, it was much the same in Carolina. They were willing to entertain a deal with Chicago, but the problem was they had their eyes fixed on South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn. In the end, the Bears weren’t willing to pay a high enough price to get them to move.
“During the weeks leading up to the draft, the Panthers had conversations with at least a half-dozen teams about moving down in the first round, if they could acquire the right package of future picks, and not move too far back in this year’s order. It’s clear in the way they operated in the 10 minutes they were on the clock that the offers didn’t equal the chance to add a player they thought would change the way they play defense immediately…
…The Bears were among the teams the Panthers talked to in those moments, and without getting into the specifics of any proposals, it’s clear that moving back 12 spots in this year’s order was too far for the Panthers to feel comfortable falling without an overpayment.”
This is another piece of confirmation. Both of the Bears’ strong desire to land Fields but also their disciplined approach. Pace wanted his guy but he also wasn’t going to mortgage the future of the franchise in the process. He had to take some calculated risks that the teams who declined to move without an exorbitant price in return weren’t looking at a QB. His assessments proved correct.
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Carolina Panthers decision to bypass QB wasn’t a surprise
A week prior they’d traded three picks including a future 2nd to the New York Jets in exchange for quarterback Sam Darnold. Carolina tried to make it seem like they were keeping their options open in the draft despite that move. Nobody was fooled though. If they weren’t picking at another position with the 8th pick, they were likely moving back to acquire more capital. It ended up being the latter.
Pace read that situation well. He gauged what Carolina Panthers GM Scott Fitterer wanted, realized the price was too high, and believed their gaze was not fixed on Fields. So move down the board and continue searching for that sweet spot. It took a little longer than expected but the deal finally came together at #11. He should thank the Philadelphia Eagles for the big assist, having traded up to #10 to select receiver DeVonta Smith. No doubt the player New York wanted. Him coming off the board helped spur trade talks.
Now Fields is a Bear.
That is how complicated and crazy the draft process is. A volatile mixture of luck, timing, and poker playing by 32 teams. It’s why fans love it so much. There is no telling if the Bears’ new QB will be what they hope, but it’s clear Pace may have executed the best draft of his career. At least in terms of playing the board correctly.
