Bears need to change approach with Tyson Bagent vs Panthers
The Chicago Bears are set to once again start quarterback Tyson Bagent against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 10. Bears starting quarterback Justin Fields hasn't been medically cleared to play on Thursday, but his availability is still uncertain according to Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. If Bagent is indeed […]
The Chicago Bears are set to once again start quarterback Tyson Bagent against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 10.
Bears starting quarterback Justin Fields hasn't been medically cleared to play on Thursday, but his availability is still uncertain according to Bears head coach Matt Eberflus.
If Bagent is indeed expected to start on Thursday night, the Bears will need to alter the game plan in a different fashion in order to play to his strengths.
Thursday will mark Bagent's fourth consecutive start and the fourth of his career. Since replacing Fields in Week 6's loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Bagent has totaled 697 passing yards, 5 total touchdowns, and 8 turnovers.
In Bagent's first career start in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Bears had 38 carries in a game which Bagent had 0 turnovers. During his last two starts in Weeks 8-9, the Bears had 25 and 32 carries (although 8 came from Bagent in Week 9). The Bears rookie quarterback totaled 6 turnovers.
The emphasis in the run game in Bagent's first start clearly had an effect on the rookie's performance and it even helped open things up in the passing game. So far this season, Bagent has thrown two passing touchdowns and zero interceptions off play action while throwing one passing touchdown and six interceptions without using play action.
The Bears will need to utilize the run game early and often against the Panthers on Thursday if they want to keep Bagent comfortable, and mistake-free, on offense. And it couldn't come against an easier opponent.
The Panthers have allowed 131.8 rushing yards per game (5th-most in the NFL) and 14 rushing touchdowns (2nd-most in the NFL) in 2023. The Panthers have allowed six passing touchdowns and have had zero interceptions against quarterbacks using play action. It'll be horrible offensive management if offensive coordinator Luke Getsy doesn't draw up more play action opportunities for his young quarterback on Thursday.
Bears favored in rare win-win opportunity in Week 10
There’s no definite way the Bears can come out as losers
