The Chicago Bears needed to make a move. They knew it. Everybody knew it. Landing a quarterback was a top priority in this draft. If GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy wanted to generate excitement in this team again, they had to take that step beyond the Mitch Trubisky era and into a new one. After several tense moments through the first 10 picks, everything came together at #11 when they jumped up to take Ohio State’s Justin Fields.
From a talent perspective? Pace and Nagy have good reasons to celebrate. This young man is easily the most gifted quarterback the Bears have ever drafted. Size, arm strength, accuracy, and mobility. He’s the total package. If he learns the speed of the NFL and becomes a master at reading defenses? This kid has All-Pro potential. Yet, as is often the case, many people worry about what Chicago gave up to make it happen.
#Bears sent #NYG 20th pick, 5th round pick this year, 2022 1st round pick and 2022 4th round pick.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) April 30, 2021
Everybody knew a price would have to be paid.
In the end, it cost Chicago their 1st and 4th round picks in 2022 and 5th round pick this year. All things considered? That isn’t as bad as people make it out to be. The primary reason being they avoided giving up any Day 2 picks in this deal. That means they’ll have their 2nd and 3rd round picks this year and 2nd and 3rd round picks next year. Solid ammunition to continue building their roster. Especially given Pace’s track record.
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Here’s a reminder of some names he’s found in the 2nd round alone:
- Eddie Goldman
- Cody Whitehair
- James Daniels
- Jaylon Johnson
He also has a history in the 3rd round too. David Montgomery is a pretty good player. Also, as a top scout in 2012 and 2013 with the Saints, he helped them secure Akiem Hicks and Terron Armstead. So he knows the value picks on Day 2 can have if used correctly. While being out of the 1st round again is tough, Pace is one of those GMs who has proven he can find talent without one.
If Justin Fields pans out, nobody will care about the trade
Pace actually made a bit of history on Thursday night. He became the first GM ever to get Dave Gettleman to move down in the 1st round. The New York Giants GM had a notorious history of never trading down in his career. Yet after Philadelphia jumped in front of them to take star Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith, Gettleman was ready to try something new. Pace, who said he has known the Giants GM for 20 years, felt he made a fair offer that was good for both sides.
New York got a future 1st to move back and reset. Chicago got their opportunity to come up for a quarterback they coveted. It was a steep price, but that position is always expensive. If Justin Fields ends up playing anywhere close to his potential? There won’t be a single person who cares what the Bears gave up to get him. This guy could carry the team to sustained success for 10-15 years.
Everything changes when you hit on the quarterback.
Everything becomes easier. That is why Pace has remained so persistent. He missed on Mitch Trubisky. That is undeniable. The fact he still had the guts to reset and take another swing speaks to his mindset and his guts. Other GMs most likely would’ve gone the safer route. Not Pace. His eternally aggressive mentality wasn’t going to let him down now. Not when he was given such a precious second chance.