Every pick in the NFL Draft has a trickle-down effect and ramifications on the selection that comes after it.
And in the case of the Bears’ trade up with the Giants and selection of quarterback Justin Fields, their movement had a wide-ranging impact on a division rival.
“It’s good they did,” PFT’s Mike Florio said of the Bears’ pick of Fields. “Because, you know what, the Vikings may have been thinking of taking Fields at No. 14 if someone hadn’t jumped up to get him.”
What Florio heard on Thursday night has since been added upon elsewhere:
Bears weren't the only team interested in trading up to 11. Source says Vikings also made an offer, but they obviously weren't offering a 2022 first to move up three spots. Easy call for the Giants to accept the huge haul from the Bears. Competition may have driven up price.
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) April 30, 2021
Of course, it all worked out for the Vikings in the end. Just an interesting almost-was that could be fun to look back on in the coming years.
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) April 30, 2021
So … not only did the Bears’ pick of Justin Fields take the quarterback who could’ve been Kirk Cousins’ replacement off the board, Chicago’s trade up also prevented Minnesota from potentially selecting its top offensive line choice. That’s a double-whammy at the Vikings’ expense. And a trifecta from the perspective of a Bears team that (1) gets its top option, (2) prevents that player from joining a rival, and (3) pulling a Mutombo and denying that rival its other preferred draft option. BOOM! Take that and blow your silly horn with it, Viking guy.
Ultimately, the big winner in all this is the Bears. I mean, sure. Making moves to leap-frog rivals and deny them opportunities to take their top prospects is nice. But getting that prospect for yourself and preparing to build around him is what really has my juices flowing today. And I’m getting the sense that I’m not alone in feeling this way.
On a Record Breaking Night, New Bears QB Justin Fields Was the #2 Best Selling Jersey in the Countryhttps://t.co/nBhR0ixa0B
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) April 30, 2021