The biggest aspect of the NFL Combine is the news that comes out of the yearly showcase.

Sometimes, it’s not even football-related (see Ian Rapoport’s and Jordan Schultz’s Starbucks Showdown in 2025). Sure enough, this year got off to a hot start with the news surrounding the Chicago Bears and backup quarterback Tyson Bagent.

Per Bears GM Ryan Poles, teams are interested in trading for Bagent and while it’s a tough decision, Chicago will listen to offers. The former undrafted free agent has shown the ability to lead an NFL offense and it’s piqued the interest of outsiders who believe he could start for them.

“We’ll always do what’s best for our team and our organization. I do think there’s a lot of merit to having a strong number two quarterback, which he certainly fits that bill,” Bears HC Ben Johnson told reporters Tuesday.

“I’m of the mind that he’s probably one of the best 32 in the NFL. His preseason tape over the last two years confirmed that in my opinion. But, if I took myself out of the equation, I want what’s best for him. If he would like an opportunity to start, I certainly hope he can get that at some point.”

So, which teams make the most sense for Bagent? We’ve assembled a list of four squads, along with trade packages, for our Bears writer, Kole Noble, to choose (or ignore) from.

Let’s dive in.

Editor’s note: Asterisks denote that specific selection number could change once compensatory picks are officially announced

Which teams make the most sense for a Tyson Bagent trade?

1. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins propose to send pick No. 90 in Round 3 and No. 228* in Round 7 for Bagent

The Dolphins have three picks from Nos. 75-90 in Round 3, making them the perfect candidate to trade for Bagent.

Sure, it makes all the sense in the world for Malik Willis to follow Jeff Hafley from Green Bay to Miami and that’s probably what’s going to happen. Both players have their own set of risks, most commonly a very small sample size of their play, but Bagent would be infinitely cheaper than Willis right off the bat. Bagent’s acquiring team will be on the hook for just $4.25 million in both 2026 and 2027, whereas Willis is expected to sign a deal in the $20-$30 million per year range.

A pick in the back end of the third round, along with a seventh-rounder, are pennies for what could potentially be a starting quarterback on an extremely manageable contract and it’s a move that could get the Hafley Era off to a fast start. – Evan Winter

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers propose to send pick No. 159* in Round 5 for Bagent

The Steelers are probably the foremost team being mentioned among QB rumors, but it’s for good reason since the team has two quarterbacks under contract for 2026: Mason Rudolph and 2025 6th rounder Will Howard. We have already seen names like Mac Jones and Tanner McKee be mentioned as options for the Steelers, but Bagent is different.

He’s a true dual threat with his legs and live arm and it’s not a coincidence that the Bears signed him to the deal they did despite having Caleb Williams as their franchise quarterback. He will be in the upper tier of backups in this league for a while and that was evident the first time he stepped on the field at the Senior Bowl. I wouldn’t mind the Steelers seeing if he has true starter capabilities if it meant only parting ways with a Day 3 draft pick. – Rob Gregson

3. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals propose pick No. 104* in Round 4 and pick No. 218* in Round 7 for Bagent

The Cardinals are expected to either trade or release Kyler Murray, making them an ideal landing spot for Bagent. He’s a good fit for Mike LaFleur’s offense, which can take advantage of his legs and big arm. He’s also proven himself to be a very cerebral QB and that’s a crucial trait to have in order to succeed under the younger LaFleur.

The Cardinals can’t match, or better, the Dolphins’ third-rounder without vastly overpaying for Bagent’s services, but they can offer a better seventh-rounder that they hope will offset the difference between picks Nos. 90 and 104. – Evan Winter

4. New York Jets

The New York Jets propose pick No. 103* in Round 4 and No. 207* in Round 6

And last, but not least, we have the Jets who can offer what no other team has, so far: a sixth-rounder as the second pick in a package.

It’s a 13-spot drop from No. 90, but a 21-spot jump from the Dolphins’ seventh-round offer and an 11-spot jump from the Cardinals’ seventh-round offer. The Jets could use that pick in the third or fourth round to trade up, among other uses.

Regardless, New York is definitely a team in need of a legit quarterback for 2026 under Aaron Glenn. The only thing is the Jets have to show marked improvement after last year’s disaster, so would Glenn want to roll the dice on the talented, but unproven, Bagent?

The good news is won’t cost a lot to make the move, but it could cost a lot in the form of Glenn’s job if it doesn’t work. That’ll certainly be weighed in the process, I’m sure. – Evan Winter

Final Verdict

The Bears don’t seem fully intent on just trading Bagent for the sake of trading Bagent. The return offer has to make sense and, in my opinion, the Bears shouldn’t except anything less than a Day 2 pick. But, looking at these offers, the New York Jets deal might be the most appealing.

Miami made a strong run offering a third-round pick, but the drop off from No. 90 to No. 103 isn’t that steep and getting the sixth-rounder along with it instead of a seventh-round pick sweetens the deal. Plus, it’d be fitting to see Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn make a deal that allows Bagent to compete against Justin Fields for a starting gig.

This trade would give Chicago nine swings at the plate in 2026 to improve the roster, with the possibility of adding the extra third-round comp pick for losing Ian Cunningham, saying the league comes to their senses.