Justin Fields, Mac Jones, or Trey Lance? That was the question for about a month leading to the 2021 NFL Draft. Which of those quarterbacks did the San Francisco 49ers trade a haul of future draft capital to move up to get?
It ended up being Lance. However, for a while, many felt Fields might be the pick. The Chicago Bears ended up drafting Fields at No. 11 overall after the 49ers passed on the quarterback. Jones went to the New England Patriots four selections later.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan did a lot of homework on Fields through the draft process, though. While the 49ers claim that Lance is the player who prompted the trade, the team wanted to do its due diligence on all of the options.
On Sunday, Fields will look to knock off the 49ers when they visit Soldier Field.
"I enjoyed watching him throughout college," Shanahan told NBC Sports Bay Area this week when asked about the Bears' rookie quarterback. "I enjoyed really getting to know him throughout the draft process. He's a great person, really smart, hard worker. He's definitely super talented, and you can see it on tape."
Fields has had his ups and downs this season. There have been a lot of downs. That's to be expected when a rookie quarterback is asked to help carry an offense. Fields' pass rating of 61.8 ranks No. 34 in the NFL. His 22 sacks lead the league.
"You get thrown out there, it's hard for all rookies," Shanahan explained. "And I know he had a tough time in his first game, but you've seen the guy persevere. You've seen him get better each week. I know their numbers aren't great just as a whole offense, but they're running the ball pretty good, and they can throw that deep ball. And they've got three receivers who can run and get down the field.
"He's going to get better each week, and I'd much rather play those guys the first week because, you know, with his ability, with the type of person he is, he can keep getting better, but I hope it's not this week."
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