Many Chicago Bears fans rejoiced on Thursday night when GM Ryan Pace pulled the trigger on a trade-up from pick No. 20 to No. 11 for quarterback Justin Fields. The south side heard a particular roar out of Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, following the Bears selection of the Ohio State signal-caller.
The White Sox were in a rain delay for part of the evening but that didn’t dampen the excitement for Chicago’s new franchise quarterback. It’s been a rough sports stretch in the city, especially for Bears and White Sox fans who haven’t tasted playoff advancement in over a decade.
“If you’re looking at your phone and you’re cheering it’s Justin Fields,” White Sox broadcaster Jason Benetti said. “Love it. Just random high fives at the ballpark in April.”
The south siders toppled the Detroit Tigers 11-0 in the second half of their Thursday doubleheader, capitalizing on the excitement in the stadium. Although, Bears fan may need to temper expectations a little bit for Fields in the short term if Pace’s comments to the media ring true.
“Matt [Nagy] has spoken to Andy Dalton tonight,” Pace said when he met with the media on Thursday. “That communication and clarity for us is really important. Andy is our starter, and we’re gonna have a really good plan in place to develop Justin and do what’s best for our organization and win games.”
The Bears signed Andy Dalton this offseason as their starting quarterback, a move that ruffled feathers in Chicago. Yet time was on the front office’s side and the board fell their way Thursday. Pace had a glowing review for his new young quarterback.
“When you see a guy with that kind of arm talent, with that kind of quarterback makeup that he has, with that kind of work ethic, that’s played in really big games and really big moments and performed in big moments, that’s extremely tough. . . Oh, and by the way, he runs a 4.44. You throw that all in together, and it just feels good.”