Chicago Bears Final 7-Round Mock Draft: The pressure is now on Pace
By Ryan Heckman
The day has finally come. Tonight, the Chicago Bears take center stage with 31 other teams for the 2021 NFL Draft.
With much anticipation, the fan base will be watching in angst. For a few days now, there have been plenty of rumors and reports regarding so many different storylines. This is the point in time where all of those fade to black and we sit back and watch the madness ensue.
For the Bears, the thought of landing a franchise quarterback has been on the minds of many. Whether it be fans or media, a lot of folks expect the Bears to try and do something to move up and get themselves a guy they can hang their hat on for years to come.
Most recently, we saw a report from CBS insider Jason La Canfora stating the Bears were one team to contact the teams in the back half of the top 10 in regards to moving up. Take that report as you will, as La Canfora has been wrong about the Bears before. But, the feeling of Chicago moving up spreads much further than just one media member.
The Chicago Bears are looking to move up in the 2021 NFL Draft, and we need to take that seriously.
Even the local Chicago media, and those connected inside Halas Hall like Brad Biggs, are beginning to believe the Bears are going to make a move up — or at least make a big push to do so.
General manager Ryan Pace has to understand the weight that this draft holds upon his shoulders. His future will be determined by the outcome of this draft. If Pace does not come away with enough to help Chicago compete this year, he could be gone.
At this point, many wonder why he isn’t already gone. But, that’s a story for a different day.
Tonight, it’s all about the quarterback. Needless to say, if the Bears do not move up to get themselves a quarterback, the rest of the draft may be tough to watch for fans. Knowing Andy Dalton is the man who holds the key for the Bears’ playoff hopes isn’t exactly a calming notion.
Whether we’re talking Dalton or Nick Foles, the Bears have two veterans who will help bring along a rookie. This room is, in fact, a great room to bring a rookie into. And with that thought at the forefront, we kick off the very last mock draft before things get underway tonight.