Bears GM Pace likely stakes future on gamble for QB Justin Fields

The outlook of the Bears now "changes considerably" after they selected Ohio State QB Justin Fields on Thursday, as the team sticking with GM Ryan Pace following the '20 season was a move that "caused a lot of agony in Chicago, especially as he actively flailed to make it work," according to Conor Orr of SI.com. But in many ways, one has to wonder if Pace was "uniquely qualified to take this second swing." Fields "could not be more different" from former Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky, another first round selection in '17. Those who "obsess over the Bears never expected Pace to be the one to save them after everything he’s been through," but only he "knew how badly he had scrambled the process the first time, and what it would take to piece his vision back together if he had a second chance" (SI.com, 4/30).

COMPLETE 180: In Chicago, Jason Lieser notes Pace "gave up a lot" to move from pick No. 20 to 11, but he also is "getting a lot" in Fields. This is "much different than when he bet the franchise’s future" on Trubisky four years ago. It was a "gutsy choice" by Pace, not only because he "once again depleted the Bears’ future stock of draft picks but because there’s no guarantee he’ll get to stay long enough to see how this turns out." It is "difficult to decipher whether Pace made the selfless move by picking a player who might not contribute much this season, when Pace’s job is on the line, or extended his stay because Fields brings long-term hope" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 4/30). Also in Chicago, Brad Biggs writes the combination of the Bears’ quarterback depth chart, the team’s "dismal history at the position and pressure on" Pace and coach Matt Nagy to "boost the fortunes of the franchise made it overwhelmingly clear the team had to make a move" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 4/30).

MAKE OR BREAK: ESPN’s Ryan Clark said: “Pace saw a quarterback fall to him with great trades in Justin Fields and he said, ‘I’m selling the farm because if I don’t make this pick, if this doesn’t work, I’ll be working on ‘Get Up’ next year'" ( “Get Up,” ESPN, 4/30). PFT’s Mike Florio: “This is not a trade that gets made without Virginia McCaskey signing off on it because what it does it either gives Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy at least two years, and maybe that's what needed to happen, maybe this is a way to get the fans to simmer down, … or they are going to have themselves a hell of a mess if they clean house after this season” ( “PFT,” ESPN, 4/30). NFL Network’s Peter Schrager said, “I love that Nagy and Pace and went and did something. They swung big here” ( “Good Morning Football,” NFL Network, 4/30). ESPN’s Booger McFarland said Pace and Nagy drafted Fields to "save their jobs and if he’s going to save their jobs, he’s got to be on the field so you’ve got to get ready to play and get him ready to play soon” ( “NFL Draft,” ESPN, 4/29). NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said Nagy and Pace are “on the thinnest of ice right now when it comes their job security” ( “NFL Draft Kickoff,” NFL Network, 4/29).