What If Ryan Pace Drafted Patrick Mahomes Instead of Mitch Trubisky? The Bears’ Alternate Dynasty
In an alternate timeline, the Chicago Bears are on the verge of their third consecutive Super Bowl victory. Matt Nagy and Patrick Mahomes have become the NFL’s most dominant coach-quarterback duo, rewriting the franchise’s history and cementing their legacy. But this reality only exists if former Bears GM Ryan Pace made one crucial decision in 2017: drafting Mahomes instead of Mitch Trubisky and avoiding the costly trade that stripped the team of valuable draft capital.
A Dynasty Born in 2017
In this scenario, the Bears stay put at the No. 3 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and select Mahomes, rather than trading up to No. 2 for Trubisky. With their additional draft capital intact, the team builds a stronger supporting cast around Mahomes, reinforcing both the offensive line and defense.
Enter Matt Nagy. The real-life 2018 season saw Nagy win Coach of the Year with Trubisky, but imagine what he could have done with Mahomes. With an innovative offensive mind and a generational talent at quarterback, the Bears become an immediate powerhouse in the NFC.
The Nagy-Mahomes Magic
With Mahomes under center, Chicago’s offense flourishes. Allen Robinson plays the role of Mahomes’ go-to weapon, and the Bears front office—armed with extra draft picks—surrounds him with elite playmakers. The defense, already dominant with Khalil Mack, remains a force, creating a perfect balance between offense and defense.
Instead of struggling to maximize Trubisky’s potential, Nagy unleashes Mahomes in a way similar to how Andy Reid did in Kansas City. The Bears become the most feared team in the league, winning their first Super Bowl in the 2020 season and following it up with another in 2021.
What Could Have Been
In reality, the Bears’ decision to draft Trubisky set the franchise back years. Meanwhile, Mahomes has become a generational superstar in Kansas City, winning multiple MVPs and leading the Chiefs to multiple Super Bowl victories.
Had the Bears made the right call in 2017, the narrative would be different. Instead of lamenting what could have been, Chicago would be celebrating its dominance, and Mahomes would be wearing navy and orange on his quest for a historic three-peat.
One decision. One draft pick. That’s all it would have taken to rewrite Bears history.