The Chicago Bears traded up to make a franchise-altering decision and select Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields with the No. 11 pick.
Ryan Pace made his second NFL Draft day trade for a quarterback in five seasons, landing Justin Fields in the 2021 showcase. Fields slipped due to unfounded concerns about his work ethic and a recent reveal that he has epilepsy. Yet, Fields’ college career and Pro Day performance speaks for itself.
Despite adding veteran Andy Dalton this offseason, the Bears didn’t feel comfortable at the quarterback position, selecting Fields and even trading up with the New York Giants to do so.
The Bears dealt pick No. 20, next year’s first-round pick, and a fifth-round selection and sixth-round selection next season.
NFL fans reacted to the mega-trade that landed the Bears Justin Fields
Bears fans were thrilled with the team’s selection, which is almost always the case when trading up for a quarterback.
The Bears: “Andy Dalton is our QB1!”
— The Ringer (@ringer) April 30, 2021
*trade up draft Justin Fields*
The Bears now:
pic.twitter.com/o8L2VAxEpZ
The #Bears’ title window is still alive. Justin Fields is the future.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) April 30, 2021
Ryan Pace, you magnificent son of a bitch.
How Justin Fields gonna look at Andy Dalton in the Bears QB room pic.twitter.com/apm4jSb9Dz
— #RingerNFL (@ringernfl) April 30, 2021
The Chicago Bears got Justin Fields and might also get Aaron Rodgers out of their division.
— Joseph (@BuckeyevsTworld) April 30, 2021
Bears fans right now: pic.twitter.com/GWEic5K5Y6
The Bears trading up for Justin Fields the same day we hear Aaron Rodgers is super pissed at the Packers is not the best
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) April 30, 2021
When #Steelers fans get over Justin Fields being picked by the Bears because they realize he didn’t go to the Patriots. pic.twitter.com/9IacNb7lo6
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) April 30, 2021
Justin Fields has a new home — and an even bigger chip on his shoulder. pic.twitter.com/BYhK19t8sd
— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) April 30, 2021
Bears fans after trading up for Justin Fields #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/IgicuEAJfE
— ESPN (@espn) April 30, 2021
Fields could come in as one of the more talented quarterbacks in the division rather quickly. The Packers are reportedly in talks to trade Aaron Rodgers away from Green Bay, and Kirk Cousins is, well, Kirk Cousins. Don’t even get me started on Jared Goff.
Yet, the Bears are in an interesting position, as they could technically sit Fields for a few games and let him learn under a veteran like Dalton. Either way, Thursday was a tremendous win for football fans in the city of Chicago.