Bears reportedly sign Caleb Williams' backup Tyson Bagent to 2-year, $10 million contract after strong preseason
Bagent's deal can inflate to as much as $16 million based on incentives, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
After starring at Shepherd, a Division II college, Bagent, now 25, joined the Bears as an undrafted free-agent ahead of the 2023 NFL season. He worked his way up the depth chart in training camp, eventually winning the No. 2 job behind Justin Fields.
Bagent was pushed into action immediately, starting four games for the Bears after Fields was sidelined with an injury. Bagent won his first start with the team, becoming the first Bears quarterback since Craig Krenzel to win his inaugural NFL start with the franchise. The start also made Bagent the first undrafted Division II quarterback to start an NFL game since 1950.
Bagent led the Bears to a 2-2 record during his starts, though he saw his production decline after the promising debut. He finished the season completing 65.7 percent of his passes, with three touchdowns against six interceptions.
Bagent retained his role as the team's backup in 2024, but barely saw any time on the field after the team selected Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Bagent threw just two passes, completing both of them.
The hiring of Ben Johnson put Bagent under an even bigger microscope. With a new coaching staff in town, Bagent needed to prove himself as the best backup option behind Williams. Both quarterbacks looked the part during the team's 38-0 preseason blowout win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Following Williams' strong performance, Bagent came on in relief and immediately led the team to three straight scoring drives. He finished the contest 13 for 22, with 196 yards and a touchdown in the win.
Bagent's reported extension seems to indicate his work in camp — and in the preseason — won over Johnson's staff. That wasn't a guarantee, as the team signed veteran Case Keenum in the offseason. Keenum missed the team's second preseason game due to an injury, though could stick around in a mentor role to both Bagent and Williams during the regular season.
While Bagent's play has made him a fan favorite, he's not expected to see the field this season. Williams is fully entrenched as the team's starter and deserves an opportunity to show growth after an uneven rookie season.
In his brief bursts of playing time, though, Bagent has looked like a capable backup quarterback. That's quite the accomplishment for a player every team passed on in the draft.
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