Tyson Bagent reveals why he chose to stay with the Chicago Bears on a new extension instead of pursuing a starting role with another team
It’s the best step for his career.
When the Chicago Bears announced a two-year extension for backup quarterback Tyson Bagent, you couldn’t imagine a more win-win deal for both sides heading into the 2025 season.
Bagent has more than earned this new deal with the team that took a chance on an undrafted kid out of Shepherd University with his play on the field and impact in the locker room over the last two years.
Everyone who’s been around Bagent understands what makes this guy special. His character and work ethic are off the charts, making him a coach’s dream to work with and the perfect teammate.
Locking up Bagent through the 2027 season was an easy decision for the franchise. For the first time in years, the Bears have security in the quarterback position in more ways than one with a young starter in Caleb Williams and a high-upside backup eagerly waiting behind him.
For Bagent, choosing to stay in Chicago was a tougher decision to make.
When you look at this guy play, you see someone who should be starting somewhere in the NFL. Something head coach Ben Johnson admitted when speaking to the media for the first time since the extension was announced on Wednesday.
“I don’t think there’s any question about it,” Johnson explained. “I’ve really been blown away by his approach from the spring to the start of camp to where we are now. He does a tremendous job knowing what to do, how to do it, and getting it done.”
After starting to lay out a potential extension with the front office, having a better opportunity to start elsewhere after playing out the final year of his contract in 2025 was a legitimate thought that ran through Bagent’s mind. While speaking with reporters, Bagent shared the reasons made him ultimately pick up the pen and sign the contract to stay in Chicago as a backup.
“I think that’s pretty much the only reason I didn’t sign right then and there, a week or so ago,” Bagent said. “That definitely went into it. Being around this staff and this offense, especially the offensive staff, I think that has just been the biggest part in the decision besides just how much I love the city of Chicago, how comfortable I am with everybody, but yeah, that was certainly played a role into it.”
Sticking in the Ben Johnson offense and continuing to grow and develop is ultimately the best thing for Bagent at this point in his career. Sure, he could have easily left town after the 2025 season and signed for more money with another team as a true starting quarterback. But that day will come.
“I think Tyson’s going to play a long time in this league, I really do,” fellow quarterback Case Keenum explained earlier in training camp. “He is very athletic, he’s trained, and he is hungry. He’s one of the most well prepared players on that field every day.”
The opportunity Bagent has, right now, with this staff and in this locker room is a special one, something he quickly recognized before even starting the negotiation process on a new deal.
“It’s tough, but there’s no better job in the whole world,” Bagent said. “I’m so happy and so excited every single day that I wake up, and that really for me is enough motivation. Really, there’s no alternative for me. I’m going to stay ready regardless of the situation I’m in. But for the most part, it’s been an absolute dream come true. So just going to keep at it and staying ready.”
Bagent is an easy player, and person, to root for and one day he’ll get his starting opportunity and make the most of it. For now, Bears can become a better team for the next three years by having a talented player in the waiting in case any worse scenarios unfold.
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