Even with reported interest heating up at the NFL Combine, the Bears would be sacrificing stability, leadership, and insurance behind Caleb Williams for a return that likely won’t match Tyson Bagent’s true value to the roster.
One of the hottest storylines to emerge from the NFL Combine last week was the reported interest in Chicago Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent.
Several teams find themselves in quarterback purgatory as free agency approaches. Only a handful will solve that problem through the draft or the open market. For others, a trade may be the only viable path — and Bagent has surfaced as one of the more intriguing young quarterbacks with untapped potential. For a team searching for an affordable swing at competent quarterback play, he represents an appealing option.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles did not shy away from the reality that the team has fielded calls on Bagent in recent weeks. He even acknowledged that it presents a difficult decision for the organization.
On one hand, Bagent provides real value inside Chicago’s quarterback room. He gives head coach Ben Johnson a reliable backup capable of steadying the ship if anything were to happen to starter Caleb Williams. Having a quarterback who doesn’t leave you dead in the water is significant, and the Bears understand that.
On the other hand, recouping draft capital for a backup quarterback — especially one the Bears identified and developed as an undrafted free agent out of Shepherd University — is a compelling value proposition.
Then there’s the human element.
The Bears, and Ben Johnson in particular, have built a strong relationship with Bagent. They value who he is as a person and what he brings to the locker room. They appreciate how he challenges and supports Caleb Williams. They don’t want to lose him for personal reasons. At the same time, that very relationship creates a desire to do right by him. Sometimes organizations choose to prioritize opportunity for their players, and giving Bagent a chance to compete for a starting job elsewhere would qualify.
You always want to see your guys get their shot. And with Caleb Williams emerging as one of the NFL’s brightest young quarterbacks — armed with traits you simply can’t teach — it’s becoming increasingly clear that a long-term starting opportunity isn’t going to materialize for Bagent in Chicago.
But does that mean the Bears should trade him?
In my view, the juice isn’t worth the squeeze.
Could Chicago move Bagent for a draft pick and pivot to a veteran like Case Keenum or another experienced backup? Absolutely. And if 2025 is any indication, the Bears may not need to lean on their backup at all. Over the past two seasons, Bagent has thrown just six regular-season passes.
Ultimately, it comes down to the return.
Bears insider Brad Biggs and others have suggested Chicago would likely require a second-round pick to part with Bagent. That feels unrealistic. Historically, backup quarterbacks fetch Day 3 selections — sometimes a late-round pick, sometimes a pick swap. Even young quarterbacks with perceived upside rarely command second-round value without established starting experience and a proven track record.
Bagent has started four NFL games, all in 2023. He went 2–2 in those outings, but his career totals — three touchdowns and six interceptions — are unlikely to wow anyone scanning a stat sheet.
Perhaps a desperate team paired with Bagent’s team-friendly contract could push the compensation slightly higher. Even then, it feels like a fourth-round pick at best. From a purely transactional standpoint, that may hold merit. After all, he’s an undrafted backup quarterback with no immediate path to playing time in Chicago.
But football decisions aren’t made solely on spreadsheets.
The locker room presence. The personality fit with Ben Johnson. The professionalism with which Bagent approaches the backup role. The confidence the coaching staff has in him if pressed into action. Those factors matter — and to this specific team, they may matter more than a mid-round draft pick.
As 2025 demonstrated, the NFC North is as competitive as any division in football, and the broader NFC playoff picture is unlikely to soften anytime soon. One or two games can swing the difference between a top seed and a road-heavy postseason path. If the Bears intend to contend at the top of the conference, they cannot afford a misstep. Should Caleb Williams miss a game or two, Tyson Bagent could represent the difference between securing playoff positioning and watching January football from home.
There’s no guarantee the Bears could replicate that level of comfort and continuity with another backup, regardless of cost.
So unless a team truly overwhelms you with an offer — something in the neighborhood of a second-round pick — this feels like a situation where Chicago should stay put.