The Chicago Bears will host the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night at Soldier Field in a primetime matchup, with many wondering if Tyson Bagent or Justin Fields will be the team’s starting quarterback. Bagent, an undrafted rookie from Division II Shephard, has started the last three games for Chicago with mixed results as the offense has consistently moved the ball, but the first-year quarterback has failed to protect the ball. With Fields likely to return either Thursday or next Sunday against the Lions, the rookie will reassume his role as the Bears’ backup but has already carved out a much-needed role for next season with the team.
Bagent Would Provide Massive Value In Multiple Areas As A Backup Quarterback
Bagent has been Chicago’s starting quarterback for the team’s previous three games, as he has compiled a 1-2 record while recording three touchdowns to six interceptions and a fumble. Despite the issues with the turnovers, the rookie quarterback has done a surprisingly good job avoiding sacks and executing the passing offense. Bagent has led the Bears’ offense to multiple scoring drives in each game, which is a necessity for a backup quarterback forced into action.
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The rookie has been especially impressive in finding the open receivers in offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s offense and has averaged over 200 yards passing and a completion percentage near 67 percent. Being able to set a level of consistent play matters as Bagent has demonstrated an ability to be a reliable backup quarterback who can understand the offensive scheme and execute it to its simplest form. Over the past three games, Chicago’s rookie quarterback didn’t break records at the position, yet he didn’t look overmatched or unable to lead an offense as a starter.
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With the likelihood of the Bears moving on from their current coaching staff and Fields at season’s end if the franchise obtains a top-two selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, Bagent will provide value to a new head coach and a potential first-round quarterback. If a new head coach is hired by Chicago after the 2023 ends, including one with an offensive background, it will be a near certainty that the franchise drafts a quarterback prospect, whether the choice is Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. With a prominent rookie quarterback, a new head coach will need a backup quarterback who can be both a bridge until the rookie is ready to start and someone who can quickly pick up the new offensive scheme quickly.
Bagent’s presence enables Chicago to not rush a first-round quarterback prospect into starting if the rookie isn’t ready. The former Shephard quarterback will be capable of starting three to six games next year to start the 2024 season to ensure the rookie prospect is fully capable of assuming the starting job. Having Bagent as a backup and potential bridge starter next season allows the Bears to save money during the off-season by not having to spend money on a veteran quarterback who would request more money for only playing one season as a starter in Chicago.
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The other added value Bagent provides heading into next season is being a reliable tutor in the quarterbacks’ room if Chicago drafts a quarterback with their first-round selection in 2024. The ability to quickly learn and execute an offensive scheme has already been demonstrated by the Bears’ current rookie quarterback, which leads to no reason to believe he wouldn’t be able to learn and play a new offensive playbook next season. Bagent being able to break down defenses and demonstrate who to throw to on every passing play to a potential rookie could prove to be invaluable from a development standpoint.
The Bears Can Potentially Have Quarterback Depth For The First Time In Recent Memory
If Chicago moves on from Fields and adds a quarterback prospect to pair with Bagent, it would still allow the franchise to have depth at the quarterback position in 2024. The last time the Bears had a quality depth at the position was just two years ago, in 2021. During that season, Chicago had Fields, Andy Dalton, and Nick Foles at the quarterback position, with all three starting games that year.
The value of having the quarterback depth in 2021 was that Fields was aided by not one but two proven veteran quarterbacks who had been previously named to the Pro Bowl and who had led their previous teams to the playoffs. Foles was extremely valuable because he served as the Bears’ third-string quarterback, and who had the most experience with then-head coach Matt Nagy’s offensive system, and was able to help mentor Fields in learning the playbook.
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Bagent’s ability as a rookie to immediately learn an NFL-level offensive system and perform at a serviceable level in several games provides promise that he can assist with the development of a rookie a year from now. Whether it is Maye or Williams, the Bears have a quarterback who can provide them flexibility as a potential spot-starter to begin next season and someone who can serve as a mentor due to his capabilities of quickly processing a new offensive scheme.
Sorry but I don’t see where Bagent is anything more than a backup. He hasn’t done anything to make him stand head and shoulders above Fields. The only thing I have seen is the offensive line has gotten injured players back and are blocking better. I believe that if Fields is afforded the same protection, he will do better as well. Time will tell.