Bears QB Tyson Bagent gets nod as Chicago’s starter vs. Browns and could help two rising WRs make a strong impression
Chicago Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent is getting the start on Saturday in the team’s preseason opener and highlighted two wide receivers he’s been quietly building a strong connection with.
The Chicago Bears will open their 2026 preseason schedule on Saturday against the Cleveland Browns, and head coach Ben Johnson delivered the biggest news of the week: quarterback Caleb Williams will not play.
That decision hands the starting job for the preseason opener to backup Tyson Bagent, who will play the entire first half against Cleveland, a significant opportunity to showcase his development in Year 2 under Johnson.
The move comes as a surprise given that the Bears and Browns did not have a joint practice this week, which typically serves as the justification for resting starters. Still, Johnson’s decision signals confidence in what he’s seen from Williams during practice while creating a real audition window for Bagent.
“I don’t know that I need to see game snaps,” Johnson said of Williams sitting out. “What we’re trying to assess is the volume throughout the week and making sure we’re hitting our benchmarks to make sure our team is ready to go for a 17-plus game season. That’s what we’re looking to do.”
Tyson Bagent gets another preseason chance to prove he’s more than a backup
Bagent spoke to the media on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s game and talked about how every rep out there is a dream come true. For an undrafted free agent out of Shepherd University, that sentiment carries real weight. Bagent has been in the NFL for a few years now and is on a solid deal with the Bears as a backup, but he’s playing for more than just the QB2 role behind Williams in Chicago.
“Really want everybody making the most out of these reps,” Bagent explained. “All you are is your tape. We want to put a good résumé out there and play good ball no matter what the situation is.”
Bagent desires to be a starting quarterback in this league, and he certainly has the talent to be one of the top 32 quarterbacks in the NFL. Johnson himself acknowledged as much back at the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this year.
In the meantime, Bagent has been the best quarterback in preseason play over the last two years, and he deserves an opportunity to get regular-season action again. That’s not going to happen in Chicago as long as Williams is healthy and entrenched as the starter, but the preseason gives Bagent a chance to put tape out there for other teams to potentially give him a starting opportunity.
Top connections to watch on Saturday
The top duo to watch in this game is the undrafted connection between Bagent and wide receiver Jahdae Walker. Walker was a stud last year in the preseason, and you can trace his roster spot back to that final preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs when he hauled in a walk-off touchdown that honestly solidified his place on the 53-man roster. Both guys are now firmly established as roster locks, and they’ll be out there with the “starting” offense on Saturday.
“We’ve been able to see him run routes a lot faster. He’s not thinking, he’s playing,” Bagent said of Walker. “He’s a guy I think that you can plug in a couple of different positions that’s able to do a couple of different things. His size, strength, and obviously he can take the top off as well… He has a chance to have as big of a year as he wants to. I think he’s done great so far.”
The other name to watch on Saturday is wide receiver Kaden Davis. Bagent connected with Davis on three walk-off touchdowns in practice with the second-team offense, so that chemistry could translate to real production under the lights against Cleveland.
“He’s done an exceptional job being a new guy coming in,” Bagent said of Davis. “Very cerebral picking up the offense very well, and he’s very fast. Both of those two things have helped him a lot.”
Second-half quarterback expectations
In the second half, expect Case Keenum to take over with the third-team offense. Rookie undrafted free agent Miller Moss should then get his shot in the fourth quarter. The preseason opener is a chance for the entire quarterback room to get evaluated, but the spotlight belongs to Bagent during the first half.
Bagent has earned this kind of extended look. Whether it leads to a larger role down the line or just strengths the confidence he already has from Chicago’s staff, Saturday’s game against the Browns is his chance to prove he’s more than just a preseason standout and the rest of the league would be wise to pay attention.
