Chicago Bears Draft: Why Fields trade will be better than 2017on April 30, 2021 at 2:00 pm

The Chicago Bears need this trade to work out so much better than the 2017 deal.

Even though it’s may seem like a familiar story, I genuinely believe this trade will end up a lot different than the one in 2017.

When news of the trade broke, everyone knew it had to be a quarterback. When it was confirmed to be Ohio State’s Justin Fields, the reaction from fans was pure excitement. Analysts were surprised by what the Giants were able to get but also praised the Bears for getting their guy.

The Bears traded their 20th overall pick this year and a first-round pick in 2022 to the New York Giants for the 11th pick. In addition, the Bears gave up their fifth-round pick this year and a 2022 fourth-round pick.

It’s a steep price to pay but it puts a whole new outlook on this season. Fields is a quarterback with proven arm talent and is instantly the best quarterback Bears coach Matt Nagy has had in his tenure in Chicago. It may take time for Fields to learn to read NFL defenses but his athleticism and talent can carry him a long, long way.

The Bears front office already tried this in 2017 when they traded up one spot with the San Francisco 49ers to draft quarterback Mitch Trubisky second overall. The Bears gave up two third-round picks and a fourth as well in that trade and it was widely considered a fleecing by the 49ers.

General Manager Ryan Pace doesn’t have trust from a lot of Bears fans after that debacle but let me lay out why I think this will end up better than last time. If it doesn’t, take some solace in the fact that everyone will likely be fired.