Should the Chicago Bears consider trading backup QB Tyson Bagent?

Chicago Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent started his NFL journey as a nice story, but lately, he’s looking increasingly like a legitimate pro. After going undrafted in 2023, despite a record-setting career at Division II school Shepherd University, Bagent signed with the Bears, with many expecting him to be a camp arm at best. Instead, he played his way into the QB2 role and even started four NFL games while Justin Fields recovered from an injury.

Fast-forward to today, and Bagent is coming off of an impressive performance against the Cincinnati Bengals, completing 7 of 8 passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns. He was poised and in command of the offense. The preseason action almost looked too easy for him, which is typically what you see only from starting quarterbacks.

It’s hardly surprising that Bagent’s name has been floated around social media as a potential trade target for teams with quarterback controversies, most notably the Raiders and the Giants.

Raiders should offer a fourth for Tyson Bagent because why not https://t.co/fMAdXatS1k

— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) August 19, 2024

Look at the Giants’ situation. Price of the Bagent is going up. https://t.co/qNJtklCQ4k

— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) August 20, 2024

Is Bagent an NFL-caliber quarterback?

Before we even consider if the Bears should be willing to deal Bagent away, we have to ask whether Bagent is being overrated right now. Sure, he looked like a stud against the Bengals, but the annals of failed NFL quarterbacks are littered with guys who looked good in the preseason. Consider his regular-season action last year. He was pretty much just “OK” in his appearances.

Conversely, Bagent was a rookie getting his first tase of real NFL football. Prior to his start against the Raiders, the last defense he’d faced in a full game was the Colorado School of Mines. That’s about as big of a leap in talent imaginable for a quarterback. So, while he didn’t look all that good, it’d be a mistake to write him off after four career starts, especially since he seems to have improved already.

Should the Bears consider a trade?

Almost every player in the league is technically available for a trade. Except for guys like Patrick Mahomes, if you call about a player, the team will at least hear you out. I think GM Ryan Poles will listen to trade offers for Bagent, but I don’t think they’ll be anything close to what it would take to make the deal happen.

Bagent is a second-year undrafted player from a Division II school who struggled against starters last season. He still has untapped upside, but I can’t see any team willing to give up more than a sixth-round pick for him. Even if Bagent will never be a viable starter, he already has the makings of a great backup, and a great backup quarterback can be invaluable for a team like Chicago that is hoping to make a playoff push.

As for the teams who might be even remotely interested in Bagent, they are not a Tyson Bagent away from contention. The Giants might be in play for the first overall pick in next year’s draft, and the Raiders could also end up with a high enough pick to grab a top-rated quarterback prospect. I don’t think adding Bagent to their rosters would help them. In fact, it might hurt their chances of drafting a franchise quarterback.