One inevitable consequence of a new head coach’s arrival is roster changes. Players who were likely safe under one staff quickly find themselves on uncertain ground with the next. This was always going to happen with Ben Johnson taking over. The only question was who might find their way out of town. It is still months before answers to that emerge. Johnson won’t rush any decisions until he’s had a chance to see everybody on the field, both in practice and preseason games. Still, it isn’t difficult to see what might be coming.
Johnson already hinted at a significant shift at the team’s most important position. Everybody knows Caleb Williams is the starting quarterback. That will not change. However, the same can’t be said for the backup job. Tyson Bagent has been the team’s #2 option for the past two years and, by all accounts, has done well. Unfortunately, it sounds like his spot is no longer safe. Johnson indicated as much by saying veteran Case Keenum is very much in play for the primary backup job.
Ben Johnson has an interesting decision ahead of him.
We should just presume Keenum will be the #2 guy. He’s far more experienced and proven on the field. He can also serve as a great mentor and sounding board for Williams. What happens with Bagent? The answer comes down to two possibilities. Either the Bears choose to keep three quarterbacks on the roster, or they trade him. Cutting Bagent feels like something they won’t want to do. Other teams reportedly hold him in high regard and wouldn’t hesitate to scoop him up. If the Bears know they’re likely to lose him, then a trade of some kind at least gives them something back.
The organization doesn’t usually hold onto three quarterbacks. The last time it was done for a full season was 2021 with Justin Fields, Andy Dalton, and Nick Foles. That said, Ben Johnson has held three quarterbacks before. He did it last year with Jared Goff, Teddy Bridgewater, and Hendon Hooker. Much of it depends on what he sees from Bagent in July and August. No pressure, right?
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@Krisanthony — Let’s see if i can get through all that you have mischaracterized: A. I have referred to Caleb Sequan Williams “LLC” since the day it was published here on SM that Caleb (his father, and advisors) were in the process of researching the various corporate structures — as well as the rules promulgated by the US Treasury (IRS), IL Dept. of Taxation, IL Secretary of State, NFLPA and other similar agencies within each state in which Caleb Williams will earn taxable income. Due diligence is hardly a discipline to be disdained. I wish Ryan Poles had a similar… Read more »
Let’s trade QB Bagent for another Hyppo or 7th RD running back. Real smart.
Here’s an idea: Roster one QB — Caleb The Franchise — and use the extra roster spot on another position. RB, WR, whatever. Keenum is only there so that Caleb has someone to watch film with, and he doesn’t need to be on the roster to do that. Nobody at Halas Hall likes Bagent. Poles’ actions say that he actively does not want any depth at all at the QB position, so stop this performative nonsense. If Caleb twists an ankle or gets hit too hard, then just put DJ Moore in shotgun and run wildcat for a series or… Read more »
Bagent has trade value but teams generally don’t trade for backup QB’s unless they’re trading for that player to be their starter. Think Jimmy Gerappolo. He proved himself legitimately to be starter worthy as Brady’s backup who got to play almost a whole season because of injury to TB. Then, how does the new staff value Bagent? Will they think of him like the old staff did. This is in play for Bagent because he is clearly not viewed as the default #2 like he was last year. Bagent has value but as a backup that is not considered starter… Read more »
Let me also add that I agree with @Tred in that, if Bagent isn’t in the plan, then yes you trade him immediately for what you can get, because he absolutely has trade value.
I am saying this “battle” for QB2 doesn’t matter in the context of the 2025 season, because all that I as a fan care about is the next opportunity to win a Super Bowl. Player-for-player trades are not common in the NFL and Bagent isn’t going to be part of a deal that makes CHI better now.