CHI Tyson Bagent
NFL player. Position: QB. Team: CHI (Chicago Bears).
Quick Facts
- Position: QB
- Team: CHI (Chicago Bears)
- Background: Undrafted free agent who has worked his way into backup role
- Contract: 2-year, $10M extension through 2027
2026 Outlook
Tyson Bagent is the Bears' backup QB behind Caleb Williams, signed through 2027 on a 2-year, $10M extension. Multiple teams inquired about trading for him during the offseason, but the Bears held firm, viewing him as valuable insurance. Head coach Ben Johnson praised Bagent as a top-32 QB in the league and acknowledged his eventual path to starting opportunities. Bagent himself is confident a starting role is "inevitable" in his career, saying he's "not anticipating" a career as a backup despite being content to wait for his moment. His last starting experience came in 2023 when he went 2-2 as a starter filling in for an injured Justin Fields. He's preparing for the possibility of being "thrown in there" at any moment and wants to be ready (per "It's inevitable" - Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent sends a loud message about his aspirations).
Week 2 starting role activated (Sept 20): Bagent got his opportunity earlier than anticipated when Caleb Williams suffered a hamstring injury in Week 2 against Minnesota. Bagent becomes the short-term starter pending Williams' recovery, which could range from 2-6 weeks depending on MRI results. Ian Rapoport reported optimism that Williams' hamstring strain is Grade 1 (mild), suggesting a 2-4 week timeline, but Bagent will be the Bears' game manager while Williams rehabilitates (per RapSheet rounds up QB injuries from Week 2 'GMFB').
Backup QB uncertainty (Sep 23): Bagent's road to starting reps became more complicated when he sustained a concussion during Week 2 action, raising his own injury status for Week 3 vs. Philadelphia. If both Williams and Bagent remain unavailable, the Bears would turn to Case Keenum or undrafted rookie Miller Moss from the practice squad—marking a significant downgrade in QB talent. Bagent's concussion timeline remains unclear, but he could miss Week 3 pending NFL concussion protocol (per Bears and Steelers Considered Logical Trade Partners Amid Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent...).
Sept 24 backup context (FOX Sports): Scouts cite trust in Ben Johnson to scheme around Tyson Bagent or Case Keenum if Caleb Williams misses time, though neither is viewed as a long-term franchise answer (per How People Around NFL Are Reacting To Young QB Injuries: 'Holy S---! What Is Going On?' - FOX Sports).
Sept 26 protocol (NFL.com): Bagent cleared concussion protocol and could get his first start since 2023 if he stays symptom-free through practice; he went 5-of-9 for 54 yards in relief of Caleb Williams in Week 2 (per Bears QB Tyson Bagent clears concussion protocol ahead of Monday's game vs. Eagles - nfl.com).
Week 4 QB decision finalized (Oct 3): After Case Keenum's stunning 27-7 blowout of the Eagles on Monday night (247 yards, 2 TDs), the Bears faced a critical QB decision for Week 4 vs. the Jets. Bagent returns to the starting role as the official #2 on the depth chart. HC Ben Johnson's final decision reverses the hot-hand momentum of Keenum's extraordinary performance (247 yards, 2 TDs vs Philadelphia), instead prioritizing Bagent as "the backup quarterback at the end of training camp for a reason." Johnson stated: "I said it last week, and I'll say it again. There was a reason why Tyson ended training camp as our No. 2 quarterback." With Caleb Williams still out with hamstring strain, Bagent gets the Week 4 start vs. Jets, while Keenum serves as backup. Bagent will become the third different QB to start for Chicago through Week 4, a rare occurrence matching the 1997 Jacksonville Jaguars (per Bears make starting QB decision for Week 4 matchup vs. Jets - CBS Sports and Source - Bears expected to start QB Tyson Bagent vs. Jets - ESPN).
Trade value implications if Bagent starts Week 4 (Oct 1): If Bagent gets the nod in Week 4 vs. the Jets and performs well similar to Keenum's dominant Week 3, ESPN's Dan Graziano reports his trade value could "skyrocket." The Bears' willingness to part with Bagent depends on his performance: if he leads the Bears to wins in Week 4 (and potentially Week 5 vs. Packers), desperate teams could cough up a third-round pick for him, according to analysts. Bagent's path has changed since his undrafted rookie season with poor regular-season starts in 2023—he's grown significantly under Ben Johnson's elite offensive scheme and would represent a low-cost, immediate QB upgrade for contenders seeking depth or injury insurance (per Tyson Bagent Could See His Trade Value Skyrocket in a Projected Week 4 Start - Sports Illustrated)..
Role / Depth Chart
Backup QB (CHI). Under contract through 2027; team views him as quality insurance behind Williams and future starting opportunity candidate around the league.
Injury Status
Concussion (Sept 22, 2026): Bagent sustained a concussion and is in danger of missing Week 3 vs. Philadelphia. His status remains uncertain pending NFL concussion protocol evaluation. If both he and Caleb Williams are unavailable for Week 3, the Bears would start Case Keenum (per Sources: Bagent has concussion, leaving Bears' QB situation unclear and Maxx Crosby defends Caleb Williams' reaction to hamstring injury).
Recent News
- 2026-10-12 — Ben Johnson: Tyson Bagent could never get in a rhythm today (Ben Johnson: Tyson Bagent could never get in a rhythm today)
- 2026-10-11 — Bears bench Tyson Bagent, turn back to Case Keenum after two interception game vs. Packers (Bears bench Tyson Bagent, turn back to Case Keenum after two interception game vs. Packers)
- 2026-10-11 — Week 5 NFL scores, live updates: Bears bench Tyson Bagent, turn to Case Keenum in 4th... (Week 5 NFL scores, live updates: Bears bench Tyson Bagent, turn to Case Keenum in 4th...)
- 2026-10-02 — Case Keenum is a nice story, but Bears should pivot to Tyson Bagent | Opinion (Case Keenum is a nice story, but Bears should pivot to Tyson Bagent | Opinion)
- 2026-10-04 — Case Keenum starts for Chicago Bears, quickly gives way to Tyson Bagent (Case Keenum starts for Chicago Bears, quickly gives way to Tyson Bagent)
- 2026-10-04 — Bears' Colston Loveland: Draws nine targets from Bagent (Bears' Colston Loveland: Draws nine targets from Bagent)
- 2026-10-04 — NFL news: Kyle Monangai scores 2 TDs as Chicago Bears beat New York Jets 23-12, Tyson... (NFL news: Kyle Monangai scores 2 TDs as Chicago Bears beat New York Jets 23-12, Tyson...)
- 2026-10-03 — Bears reportedly expected to start Tyson Bagent at QB in Week 4 vs. Jets (Bears reportedly expected to start Tyson Bagent at QB in Week 4 vs. Jets)
- 2026-10-03 — Source - Bears expected to start QB Tyson Bagent vs. Jets (Source - Bears expected to start QB Tyson Bagent vs. Jets)
- 2026-10-03 — Case Keenum Expected to back up Bagent vs. NYJ (Case Keenum Expected to back up Bagent vs. NYJ)
Open Questions
- Will Bagent get a starting opportunity in 2026 if Williams struggles or is injured?
- Which team might eventually trade for or sign Bagent as a starting QB?