Bears are already setting up contingency plans for life without Tyson Bagent based on latest NFL Combine meetings
The Chicago Bears are keeping tabs on incoming backup QB options.
When Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles met with the media on Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine, he confirmed suspicions that the team is getting calls on the availability of backup quarterback Tyson Bagent due to a weak quarterback market.
It creates a tricky situation for Chicago. Bagent isn’t a player the team would normally want to part ways with given his age, cost, and value on the roster behind quarterback Caleb Williams. At the same time, moving him could net a decent pick depending how desperate teams are to land a cheap starting quarterback.
“We’ve gotten a few calls there,” Poles explained. “Obviously the tough thing is what Ben [Johnson] thinks about Tyson, what I think about Tyson, what our locker room thinks about Tyson. That’s a really tough decision for us. But, for Tyson as well, I think he would have an opportunity to go and perform for a team a do some really good things.”
Moving Bagent is something that is definitely in consideration and if the Bears do get an offer that’s too good to pass up, the Bears will need to have plan in motion to replace him. Chicago already got an early start to that on Friday.
Bears had a formal and informal meetings with two potential backup QB options
Saying the Bears trade Bagent, the team would ideally like to have a developmental quarterback in the building but a veteran option like Case Keenum is still an option to bring back too, either on the roster or even on the coaching staff. When it comes to the developmental approach, don’t rule out the Bears using a Day 3 draft pick or signing a top UDFA to bring in for the offseason.
Two names popped up on the team’s interview list on Friday. NDSU’s Cole Payton revealed he had a formal meeting with the Bears while the team had an informal meeting with Texas Tech’s Behren Morton.
Payton is an intriguing name that’s drawing solid interest from other teams in the league. He stands at 6-3 with some dual-threat ability and is a lefty passer. Given his size and starting experience at the FCS level, there’s a lot to love from a developmental standpoint. Perhaps too much to love in the sense that Payton could push his stock out of Chicago’s ideal range.
“It starts with the chip on my shoulder,” Payton said. “I’m uber competitive. I love this game and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make a roster and make an impact and to eventually be a starting quarterback in this league.”
If Payton gets pushed up the board, Morton might be more of a logical option for the Bears. Morton was the backup quarterback to Tyler Shough to start his college career until fully taking over the reigns in 2024. He led Texas Tech into the playoffs this past season with a 66.0 completion percentage that led the entire conference. He has the baseline tools for a coach like Ben Johnson to work with over time and the perfect backup mentality.
“I’ve been the backup before,” Morton explained. “I’m a coach’s kid, my dad was a high school football coach for 34 years, I really enjoyed just being in the facility. I’m a football junkie , I love every aspect of the sport. Looking forward to the next level. As far as what I can do for the starter, I’m going to be willing in what I’m able to do.”
In the perfect world, the Bears would love to hang on to Bagent and continue working with him in Chicago behind Williams. It all depends on what his market looks like and what a team is willing to give up. But, it’s great to see Chicago set up some early contingency plans, just in case.
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