Bears might potentially utilize new league rule after listing Nathan Peterman as QB2
The Chicago Bears have released their first "official" depth chart leading up to the season opener against the Green Bay Packers this weekend. One major change that has caught the eyes of Bears' fans was quarterback Nathan Peterman being listed as the official backup to Justin Fields instead of rookie Tyson Bagent. Just a week […]
The Chicago Bears have released their first "official" depth chart leading up to the season opener against the Green Bay Packers this weekend.
One major change that has caught the eyes of Bears' fans was quarterback Nathan Peterman being listed as the official backup to Justin Fields instead of rookie Tyson Bagent.
Just a week ago, the Bears were seemingly going to enter the season with Bagent as the team's backup after Peterman was released following the initial cuts to create the 53-man roster. However, Peterman was re-signed on Thursday, giving the team three options at quarterback.
This roster move presents an interesting development for the Bears leading up to their home opener. With three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster the Bears will have a choice to make with their undrafted rookie.
Bagent put together a decent preseason campaign over the past month, totaling 156 passing yards in three games and added a rushing touchdown against the Buffalo Bills. The play of the rookie has given the Bears enough confidence to keep him on the initial roster and avoiding the risk of another team plucking him off the practice squad.
As it stands going into their game against the Packers, the Bears will have two options to make with Bagent. By game day, the Bears will need to announce their 47/48-man game-day roster including a list of inactives. Bagent likely will be included within that inactive list, however, there is a new rule implemented in the NFL this season that the Bears could take advantage of as a precaution.
According to the new league policy, teams are now eligible to have an "emergency quarterback" listed on their game-day roster prior to kickoff. Bagent could fall under this category making him an important piece to the Bears roster. In order for Bagent to be listed an the team's "emergency quarterback" the following stipulations must be met, as explained by CBS Sports' Garrett Podell:
The emergency third quarterback must be on the team's 53-player roster; the player cannot be an elevated practice squad player.
The team's starting quarterback (QB1) and its backup quarterback (QB2) must also be on the team's 53-man roster.
A club must have two bona fide quarterbacks on its 47/48-player gameday active list to have an emergency third quarterback.
A club cannot designate an emergency third quarterback if it has three or more bona fide quarterbacks on its 47/48-player gameday active list.
Carrying Bagent on the active game-day roster could give the Bears some added protection barring any extreme circumstance that could arise against the Packers. If Justin Fields and Nathan Peterman were to get injured on Sunday, the Bears could have Bagent at the ready to step in.
This situation is of course situational, and unlikely. But hey, ask the San Francisco 49ers how important this new loophole could be going forward.
The Bears' decision between listing Bagent as an inactive or as an "emergency quarterback" will be an important aspect to follow on Sunday morning leading up to kickoff.
Meet the Bears’ initial 53-man roster following cuts
Check out the initial Bears’ 53-man roster for 2023.
Featured image via Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
