‘It’s inevitable’ — Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent sends a loud message about his aspirations the Chicago Bears need to hear
Chicago Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent was the topic of conversation all offseason long with trade rumors swirling, and it seems like Bagent has a strong stance on what he wants his future to look like.
The offseason noise surrounding Chicago Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent has been loud the last few months but all signs currently point toward the former undrafted free agent remaining in Chicago for the 2026 season.
Multiple teams inquired about making a deal for the promising 25-year-old quarterback but the Bears held a firm asking price to even think about parting ways with their QB2. General manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson even offered strong praise for what Bagent brings to the locker room.
At the same time, Johnson noted Bagent is one of the Top-32 quarterbacks in the league and deserves his opportunity to lead a team of his own as a starting quarterback, one day. For the time being, the Bears would ideally love to keep him in the backup role.
“I am so unbelievably grateful to be in the position that I’m in,” Bagent said Wednesday on ESPN Chicago. “Nobody ever thought, besides my family, that I would be in the position that I’m in right now.”
Chicago Bears backup QB Tyson Bagent believes a starting opportunity is inevitable in his career
Prior to the 2025 season, Bagent agreed to a two-year, $10 million contract extension with the Bears. A deal that keeps him under contract in Chicago through 2027. While he’s happy with his role and the security the Bears have given him, Bagent also has larger aspirations for his career.
“And then there’s the other side. Which is, yeah, I want to play,” Bagent added. “I think with what I’ve put on tape it’s inevitable at this point that that will come soon. War is prepared for in times of peace. So, right now, it’s nice and peaceful right now. But, that’s not to say… I ain’t got no choice. I’m bought and spoken for.”
Bagent is taking the right approach here. He can easily be problematic, go on the radio, and demand to be traded if he’s not going to play for the Bears. Fortunately, he’s not that kind of guy. But, he is a competitor and has that internal drive to lead his own team.
Bagent hasn’t started a regular season game since the 2023 season when he went 2-2 as a starter in place of an injured Justin Fields. Since then, opportunities have been hard to come by with Caleb Williams entrenched as the team’s franchise quarterback.
Some quarterbacks in the league embrace this life. Just sitting behind a young franchise star, cashing your check, and staying ready for an emergency situation. While it’s a good life, Bagent is making it clear he eventually wants more out of his career in the NFL.
“I’m not sharpening my sword anticipating a career full of peacefulness and easy-going,” Bagent explained. “Oh, you could just kill it in the summer and the preseason and then be the backup and everything will go good. I’m not anticipating that. I am anticipating to be thrown in there… There is no running from it at this point, it’s coming. That’s where my head is at. I want to be ready to go at any moment.”
It’s going to eventually put the Bears in a tough position, if it hasn’t already. Poles and Johnson have made it clear how much they appreciate Bagent and how important he is to the team. Bagent, as much as he appreciates Chicago and all they’ve done for him, is making it clear he desires to be more but he’s comfortable waiting on his time to come, which is the best thing about this situation.
“The way to show respect to the organization is just be as ready as I can be,” Bagent said. “Which is just what’s going on right now.”