It seemed unlikely, but New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman traded back for the first time in his career during the 2021 NFL draft, sending the 11th overall pick to the Chicago Bears.
The trade, which was agreed upon as the Giants were on the clock, had a few picks coming back New York’s way, including the Bears’ 2022 first-round pick.
As it currently stands, the Giants will head into next year’s draft with two first-round picks. How high they will be selecting depends not only on their own success, but the success or failure of the Bears.
Naturally, Giants fans will now be paying a little closer attention to the Bears’ win/loss total during the upcoming season.
Coincidentally, the Giants will play the Bears in Chicago this coming season. What week the two will face off will be determined when the schedule is released next week.
The Bears did, of course, make the playoffs last year as the seventh seed in the NFC. However, going into the 2021 season, the Bears have the third-hardest strength of schedule and appear to be entering a significant rebuilding mode.
Whenever the Giants do face off against the Bears, a win for Big Blue would not only help New York in their race for the playoffs and a divisional crown, it would also help improve the value of that first-round pick acquired from Chicago.
Outside of their NFC East games, the Giants’ tilt with Chicago may very well be their most important game of the season.
