The Chicago Bears knew they were taking a gamble when they made the decision. It’s rare for NFL teams to drop an experienced veteran in favor of an untried rookie. It’s even rarer when that rookie is undrafted from a small school. Still, that is how strong of an impression Tyson Bagent made on them during the summer. Scouts loved him coming out of Shepherd. Coaches loved him after working with him at the Senior Bowl. So they pushed hard to sign the kid when he went undrafted, promising a legitimate shot to make the roster.
A few months later, he beat out P.J. Walker and Nathan Peterman for the backup spot behind Justin Fields. Sure enough, five weeks later, the decisive moment arrived. Fields dislocated the thumb on his throwing hand. He would miss at least one game. The Bears turned to Bagent. He stepped in, completing 21-of-29 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 24 yards. Chicago crushed the Raiders 30-12 for their second win of the year. The moment was significant not only for Bagent himself but also in NFL history. Peter King of NBC Sports revealed how insanely rare it was.
We’re talking many decades without it happening.
“The first undrafted rookie QB from an NCAA Division II school to start an NFL game since 1950 at the start of the day, became the first NCAA Division II undrafted rookie to win an NFL game since 1950 by mid-afternoon in Chicago. Steady and mistake-free in the 30-12 win over the Raiders, Bagent was 21 of 29 for 162 yards, one TD and no turnovers. Heck of a job, and he did it at Soldier Field—where the Bears hadn’t won a game in 13 months. Bagent Fever, baby.”
Tyson Bagent has proven he is not normal.
People get so caught up in where he went to school that they ignore what their eyes tell them. Yes, he went to Shepherd University. It’s not like he was a nobody there. He was only the most prolific passer in Division II history. A fundamental rule of scouting in the NFL is one way to spot a future pro in a sea of nobodies is their production. If they dominate their level of competition, it’s a good sign they have what it takes. Bagent did that. It’s why he got invited to the Senior Bowl, where he shined.
Now here he is, beating a Raiders team that had just defeated the Packers and Patriots in back-to-back weeks. He ran the offense like a professional, making quick, smart decisions with the ball. His throws were accurate, and he never put the ball in harm’s way. He also came up clutch on 3rd down, going 6-of-9 for 52 yards and a touchdown. Tyson Bagent was the reason the Bears won, but he was one of the reasons. At the very least, they found themselves a highly capable backup. That is a huge victory.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Please give Fields one more week of rest Mr. Eberflus.
So you throw the legit commenters out with the spam bath water?