Case Keenum playing great on Monday Night Football was a real treat for Chicago Bears fans. However, at least one player wasn’t happy about it. Not necessarily because he dislikes Keenum. It is more that Tyson Bagent was supposed to be the one starting. The Bears’ primary backup quarterback had waited years for an opportunity to start. Then, when Caleb Williams went down with his hamstring issue, the moment had finally arrived. Then Bagent almost immediately suffered a concussion, knocking him out of Monday’s game.
By the time he returned, it was too late. The Bears had to go with Keenum. Now the team is suddenly in a conundrum. Do they stick to the original plan of playing Bagent, since he’s the #2, or do they ride the hot hand and give Keenum another start? Many believe the decision is easy. Go with the guy who just carved up a pretty good Philadelphia Eagles team. However, there are reasons the Bears may want to go with Bagent. One of them was mentioned by Dan Graziano of ESPN.
“We heard talk in the offseason about the Bears looking into trading Tyson Bagent, and maybe someone gets interested if he gets a start or two during Caleb Williams’ absence and looks good.”
Tyson Bagent deserves his opportunity.
Nobody has worked harder to reach this point. Yes, Keenum played very well against Philadelphia. That doesn’t change the fact that Bagent did more than enough to earn that #2 spot. He wouldn’t have the job if Ben Johnson and the coaches didn’t think he deserved it. One must remember that, as good as Keenum was, he’s still 38. There are limitations to his game that age brings. Bagent is younger and more mobile. He also knows the offense just as much. An opportunity like this may never come around again. He deserves a chance to seize it.
Keenum has had his moment. Trying to wring more out of him is dangerous. Tyson Bagent is hungry and ready. Contrary to popular myth, sticking with the hot hand doesn’t always work. The Buffalo Bills did that with Rob Johnson in 1999, and it cost them in the playoffs. Dallas Cowboys fans may argue that such a decision might’ve cost them a shot at a Super Bowl in 1991 when they opted to keep backup Steve Beuerlein in the lineup even after Troy Aikman had recovered from an injury. Going with the original plan is not a bad thing.
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There was an early positive sign.
Bagent spoke to the media on Thursday. Usually, a player isn’t made available to speak unless there’s a good chance they play. One would think the Bears would’ve put forward Keenum if they were planning to start him Sunday. It might be a questionable move to some, but it feels like the right one. Not only do the Bears give a young player an opportunity he has earned, but they might also gain a valuable trade chip if he plays well in the upcoming game. Injuries are rampant across the NFL. Someone will be interested in Bagent.
What it comes down to is price. Johnson has made it pretty clear that he isn’t keen on trading Bagent. That means any offer made will have to be strong. We’re talking 2nd round pick range. That may sound steep, but quarterbacks are valuable assets in all forms, starter or backup. The Bears are under no obligation to trade him. So if another team wants him, they’ll have to prove it.
