The Chicago Bears made a potential franchise-altering move when they traded up to land quarterback Justin Fields with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
Following an offseason where it was clear an upgrade at quarterback was the goal, the pressure fell on GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy to figure out a way to turn one of the league’s worst offenses around — and that started at quarterback.
While trying to land Russell Wilson — and even Deshaun Watson at one point — failed, Chicago seemed to luck into one of the best young quarterback prospects in this draft class in Fields.
Fields has the makings of a star quarterback — the big arm, the accuracy, the athleticism, the leadership and the toughness — and it’s something that won’t keep him on the bench for long.
According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, it sounds like Pace and Nagy have bought themselves two more years after drafting Fields — barring an epic meltdown.
It’s difficult to draw many conclusions on the future of Pace and Nagy when the Bears have yet to play a game this season. But I can tell you some people around the league believe the duo bought itself two more years at Halas Hall unless the team falls flat on its face in 2021.
It’s been a whirlwind of an offseason for Pace and Nagy. They went from universally hated and on the brink of losing their jobs to beloved and likely safe for the next couple of seasons thanks to one move — one significant move that could change this franchise forever.
If Fields winds up being the’ best quarterback in franchise history — and manages to deliver a Super Bowl to Chicago — Pace and Nagy will be legends along with Fields.
