In the 2011 NFL redraft by Pro Football Focus, the Chicago Bears pick their former rival in this updated selection.

The NFL Draft is a pivotal event that shapes the future of teams and the league as a whole. Over the years, draft picks, trades, and strategic decisions have defined the fortunes of franchises. When analyzing drafts retrospectively, especially through the lens of a “redraft,” teams often reconsider their choices, sometimes selecting different players based on current evaluations, team needs, and historical context.

In 2011, the NFL Draft was a highly scrutinized event, with many notable prospects and storylines. Fast forward to a hypothetical “redraft” conducted by Pro Football Focus (PFF), a respected analytics and grading platform, which re-evaluates players’ careers and assigns new draft positions based on performance and potential.

Within this context, the Chicago Bears—an NFL franchise with a storied history and intense rivalries—are depicted as selecting their former rival in this 2011 redraft. This scenario raises intriguing questions: Which rival would they select? Why? How would this choice have impacted their franchise? What are the broader implications of rekindling or acknowledging rivalries through such a lens?

This comprehensive analysis aims to explore these questions, providing a detailed narrative of the significance of the Bears’ hypothetical selection, the history of their rivalries, and the potential effects on the NFL landscape.

The 2011 NFL Draft: A Brief Overview
The Original 2011 Draft
The 2011 NFL Draft, held in New York City, was notable for its quarterback class, featuring Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert, and Jake Locker, among others. The Carolina Panthers selected Newton first overall, signaling a shift towards dynamic quarterback athletes. The draft also saw the Atlanta Falcons trade up to select receiver Julio Jones, and other notable picks like Von Miller, Patrick Peterson, and Marcell Dareus.

The Chicago Bears, with the 29th overall pick, selected Gabe Carimi, an offensive tackle from Wisconsin. At the time, many analysts debated the Bears’ choices, emphasizing the importance of offensive line protection and overall team rebuilding. However, evaluating the players with the benefit of hindsight, some of the 2011 selections have proven more impactful than others, leading to the concept of a “redraft” where teams reconsider their selections based on actual career outcomes.

The Concept of a Redraft
A redraft involves re-evaluating players from a specific draft class, often years later, to assess their true value and impact. Platforms like Pro Football Focus leverage advanced metrics, game film analysis, and career performance to assign new draft positions. This exercise can reveal which players were undervalued or overvalued initially and how teams might have acted with full knowledge of future performance.

In a 2011 NFL redraft, players like Von Miller, who became a Defensive Player of the Year, or Julio Jones, a perennial All-Pro receiver, might have been selected earlier, while others might have fallen down the board.

The Chicago Bears and Their Rivalries
A Brief History of the Bears’ Rivals
The Chicago Bears, established in 1919 and a founding franchise of the NFL, boast a rich history filled with memorable rivalries. Their most notable rivals include:

Green Bay Packers: The oldest rivalry in NFL history, dating back to 1921. The Bears and Packers have faced each other over 200 times, with iconic moments defining their matchups.

Detroit Lions: A historic rivalry rooted in Midwest division battles and competitive history.

Minnesota Vikings: Another NFC North rival with numerous playoff encounters.

However, among these, the Green Bay Packers stand out as the most significant and enduring rivalry, often characterized by fierce competition, iconic moments, and cultural significance.

The Nature of the Rivalry
The Bears-Packers rivalry is steeped in history, often symbolizing more than just football. It embodies regional pride, cultural identity, and the storied legacy of two of the league’s oldest franchises. Many of their encounters have had playoff implications, monumental plays, and cultural moments, making it a quintessential NFL rivalry.

The “Former Rival” in the Context of 2011
If we interpret the “former rival” as the Packers—given their longstanding rivalry—the Bears selecting a key player from the Packers in the 2011 redraft would be a symbolic gesture. Alternatively, it could refer to a different team or player that historically challenged the Bears’ dominance or posed a significant threat at that time.

The Hypothetical: Bears Select Their Former Rival in the 2011 Redraft
Which Rival Player Could Be Selected?
Given the scenario, the most logical and iconic choice is a player from the Green Bay Packers, the Bears’ most prominent rival. In the 2011 draft context, a potential candidate might be:

Clay Matthews (LB): Drafted 26th overall by the Packers in 2009, Matthews by 2011 had established himself as a premier pass rusher and leader on defense.
Jordy Nelson (WR): Drafted 36th overall in 2008, Nelson was emerging as a key receiver for the Packers.
Aaron Rodgers (QB): Although already a star, he was drafted in 2005 and had become the Packers’ franchise quarterback by 2011.
Since the redraft occurs years later, the focus would likely be on players who had a significant impact on both teams’ rivalry and whose careers justified higher or different positioning.

The Strategic and Symbolic Choice
Suppose the Bears, in this redraft, decide to select Clay Matthews from the Packers. This would be a symbolic move—adding a key rival player to their roster, perhaps to bolster their defense or send a message. Alternatively, selecting a different player from another rival team—like a prominent Viking or Lions player—would serve a similar purpose.

Impact of the Bears Selecting Their Rival in the Redraft
On the Team’s Fortunes
If the Bears had acquired a rival player like Matthews in the redraft, it could have:

Enhanced their defense: Matthews was a disruptive force, and adding him could have significantly improved the Bears’ pass rush.
Altered their draft strategy: Acquiring a star rival player might have influenced subsequent draft choices, free agency decisions, or overall team-building.
On the Rivalry
Incorporating a rival player into their roster could have:

Intensified the rivalry: The Packers, seeing their former star in a Bears uniform, might have heightened animosity, leading to more intense competition.
Created storylines: Media narratives, fan reactions, and team dynamics would have been affected, adding layers to the rivalry.
Broader NFL Implications
Such a move could have influenced the balance of power within the NFC North, potentially affecting playoff seeding, division titles, and team success.

The Cultural and Psychological Significance
Symbolism of Rekindling Rivalries
Adding a rival player to a team’s roster in a redraft symbolizes a conscious acknowledgment of that rivalry. It reflects strategic thinking but also a recognition of the historical importance of certain matchups.

Fan Reactions and Legacy
Fans of the Bears might have viewed this as a bold move, either to weaken a rival or to bolster their own team’s competitiveness. It could have become a key talking point in NFL history, symbolizing the ongoing chess match between division rivals.

Hypothetical Outcomes and Legacy
Impact on the 2011-2012 Seasons
Improved team performance: Acquiring a star rival player might have led to more wins, playoff appearances, or even a Super Bowl run.
Altered rival dynamics: The Packers and other division rivals would have had to adapt, possibly leading to more intense or unpredictable matchups.
Long-Term Effects
Player Legacy: The rival player’s legacy would be transformed—no longer just a rival but a key contributor to the Bears’ success.
Franchise Evolution: The Bears’ history might have been rewritten with different milestones, playoff runs, or championships.
Broader Reflection: The Nature of Redrafts and Rivalries
The Value of Perspective
Redrafts allow fans, analysts, and teams to reflect on past decisions, evaluating how different choices could have reshaped history. Selecting a rival player demonstrates the strategic importance of rivalries and the potential for such relationships to influence team building.

Rivalries as Strategic Assets
Teams often leverage rivalries to motivate players, increase fan engagement, and create memorable moments. Incorporating rivals into team rosters, even hypothetically, underscores the competitive and psychological dimensions of football.

In the hypothetical 2011 NFL redraft conducted by Pro Football Focus, the Chicago Bears’ decision to select their former rival exemplifies the intricate interplay of history, strategy, and symbolism in professional football. Whether choosing a legendary Packers player like Clay Matthews or another key rival, this move would have had profound implications—not just on the team’s composition, but also on the rivalry’s intensity, league dynamics, and collective narratives.

Such a scenario underscores the importance of rivalries in shaping NFL history and highlights how strategic decisions—whether real or imagined—can redefine legacies. The Bears’ hypothetical choice would serve as a potent reminder that in football, history and strategy are forever intertwined, fueling the passion and drama that make the sport so compelling.

This exercise also encourages fans and analysts to revisit past decisions with fresh eyes, recognizing that the road not taken can sometimes be as fascinating as the path actually traveled. Whether in the realm of real drafts or hypothetical redrafts, the stories of rivalries and strategic choices continue to captivate the NFL community, ensuring that the league’s rich tapestry remains vibrant and enduring.