Between quarterback Justin Fields and offensive tackle Teven Jenkins, the Chicago Bears continue to add offensive talent to the roster. As the franchise continues to move on from the Mitchell Trubisky era, Chicago is clearly turning the page, investing in the offensive, becoming a modern NFL franchise.
The Chicago Bears are quietly winning the 2021 NFL Draft.
Despite making just two selections, the Bears have shown that in 2021, they’re willing to emphasize quality over quantity. Heading into the 2021 NFL Draft, Chicago was projected to have eight total picks. Now, as the Bears enter day three, the expectation is that Chicago has just six new rookies on the roster, barring any day three trades.
Simply put, Chicago is winning the NFL Draft. By drafting Fields and Jenkins, the Bears are adding two players that many expected to go in round one. While the Bears did give up additional draft capital for Jenkins, they did so knowing that selecting Jenkins would mean investing in Fields.
Over the last few years, Bears general manager Ryan Pace has developed a reputation for being aggressive, proving that when it comes to the NFL Draft, moving up will always be an option, even if it comes at the expense of future first-round picks.
Compared to their NFC North counterparts, Chicago got one of the top quarterbacks and a top-tier offensive tackle, both of whom will become long-term fixtures on the Bears offensive line for years to come.
Heading into day three, with a scheduled four selections, Chicago will look to continue adding depth to the roster. Over the last few years, some of Pace’s notable day three selections have included: Darnell Mooney, Bilal Nichols, Eddie Jackson, Tarik Cohen, and Jordan Howard.
Of the names listed above, only Howard is no longer on the Bears roster, with the other four names becoming a part of the Bears’ core players. As Chicago’s roster, particularly on defense continues to get older, a goal on day three should be to add depth to positions like cornerback, linebacker, and wide receiver.
Overall, despite having just two selections, the Bears have added foundational pieces in Fields and Jenkins that would be long-term building blocks for any NFL franchise. As Chicago gets ready for day three of the NFL Draft, it’s clear that the Bears are quietly winning through the first two days.
