Tyson Bagent has volatile performance in place of injured Justin Fields
On Sunday afternoon against the Minnesota Vikings, the NFL world was reintroduced to Bears undrafted rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent. The pre-draft Division II sensation entered the game in the third quarter in place of injured starting quarterback Justin Fields and led the team's only touchdown drive of the game. However, Bagent's first career NFL outing […]
On Sunday afternoon against the Minnesota Vikings, the NFL world was reintroduced to Bears undrafted rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent.
The pre-draft Division II sensation entered the game in the third quarter in place of injured starting quarterback Justin Fields and led the team's only touchdown drive of the game.
However, Bagent's first career NFL outing wasn't filled with sunshine and rainbows like the movies depict, and instead preformed as expected for a player stepping onto the field for the first time in a true regular season game.
Bagent finished the game 10-14 passing with 83 yards through the air and scored on a 1-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. However, Bagent also recorded two costly turnovers that ultimately secured the victory for the Vikings.
The first turnover incident came on Bagent's first drive of the game after stepping in for Fields. Bagent started the drive off with a 5-yard completion to wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. on first down. Running back Darrynton Evans rushed for a gain of six on second down. However, on the third play, things got ugly.
Bagent faced heavy pressure up the middle on his second drop back forced by Vikings defensive lineman Harrison Phillips and stepped up in the pocket, only to be strip sacked from behind by safety Josh Metellus. The fumble was scooped up by linebacker Jordan Hicks and returned 42-yards for a touchdown, increasing Minnesota's lead to 12.
Bagent's second drive ended with a turnover on downs, followed by a three-and-out on his third drive. However, Bagent regained his confidence at the start of the four quarter and led the Bears on a 9-play scoring drive, where he completed all four of his pass attempts. Bagent put the Bears within one score with less than eight minutes remaining after diving in for his first career touchdown on a QB sneak.
The touchdown sucked the momentum out of the entire Vikings team and the tide turned into the Bears favor after the defense forced a three-and-out on the next drive. The ball returned to Bagent's hands with the game on the line.
Bagent led the offense into Minnesota territory after completing three more passes and scrambling for a 3-yard gain. However, the drive and potential comeback came to an abrupt halt after Bagent under-threw wide receiver DJ Moore, leading to a game-sealing interception.
After the game, Bagent took full blame for the costly turnover while speaking with reporters.
"DJ Moore, one of the best receivers in the world, one on one; anytime we can get that, we like it." Bagent explained. "I under-threw it there a little bit and that's all me, and that's something that I gotta fix going forward."
The final result is exactly what you'd expect to see how of a player coming off the bench in his first career NFL game action. Were there some flashes, definitely. But in the end, it's a tough situation to be thrust right into and rarely do NFL backups turn the situation into something special.
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus expressed his confidence in his young backup after the game and pointed out some of the positives he took away from Bagent's performance.
"I think once he got settled down, he put that drive together, and you could see what he could do," Eberflus said. "He could do off schedule stuff, he can escape, he made a few nice throws out there, his mobility is good, and I thought his timing was good on a lot of those passes that he threw. So, I thought he looked good."
The praise was deserved for the rookie but ultimately, the two turnovers obviously hurt for the Bears and Eberflus emphasized the importance of not putting the ball in harm's way being one of a quarterbacks' main responsibilities.
The rookie will learn from his mistakes, and there's still a lot to like from what Bagent was able to show as he continues to develop in the NFL. The question now becomes: How long will Fields miss time going forward, and if so, how long will he be out?
Justin Fields suffered dislocated thumb vs Vikings, will have MRI on Monday
Not good news for QB1
