Reported interest from the Arizona Cardinals in quarterback Tyson Bagent has sparked debate among Chicago Bears fans — but recent NFL history suggests Chicago’s return in a trade may be modest at best.
An NFL rumor has sparked widespread debate among Chicago Bears fans — and free agency hasn’t even opened yet.
Reports indicate the Arizona Cardinals, a team in quarterback purgatory under new head coach Mike LaFleur, have interest in acquiring Bears backup QB Tyson Bagent via trade.
The Bears originally signed Bagent as an undrafted free agent out of Shepherd University. They later rewarded him with a contract extension that keeps him in Chicago through the 2027 season.
That’s two more seasons at a cap number of roughly $4.75 million total — a modest price for the stability he brings to the quarterback room.
Chicago views Bagent as a valuable piece. But at that price, he might be even more valuable to a team searching for a starting quarterback — or at least a bridge option.
Kyler Murray’s future appears uncertain, and it’s hard to envision him returning to the desert long term. That leaves the Cardinals with Jacoby Brissett — a respected veteran, but one with a clear ceiling who didn’t exactly play winning football in 2025.
It’s not like Arizona is building its future around Brissett.
That puts the Cardinals in an interesting position. They’re uniquely positioned to take a swing on upside at quarterback.
Maybe they draft someone with the third overall pick. Beyond Fernando Mendoza — widely projected as the top overall selection — there isn’t a quarterback prospect who clearly jumps off the page for Arizona.
Maybe they explore free agency. It could be an ideal setup for someone like Malik Willis, who revived his career as a backup in Green Bay under Matt LaFleur — the brother of Arizona’s head coach.
Or maybe they’re truly intrigued by Tyson Bagent.
What Is Tyson Bagent Worth?
The debate among Bears fans is simple: Should Chicago jump at the opportunity to collect draft compensation for a backup quarterback?
I’ll give my full opinion in a follow-up column. But first, we have to ask the obvious question:
What would the Bears realistically get in return?
To answer that, we have to look at recent NFL history and the precedent for backup quarterbacks being moved.
There aren’t many examples of a career backup being traded as the clear heir apparent. But there are plenty of cases involving relatively young quarterbacks — backups with spot-start experience and perceived upside — being dealt.
Sam Howell — A young quarterback with more starting experience than Bagent — has been traded twice in recent years, each time involving late-round pick swaps.
Joe Milton III was traded alongside a seventh-round pick from New England to Dallas for a fifth-round pick in April of 2025.
Kenny Pickett has been moved twice in his career, each time for a fifth-rounder.
That’s likely the neighborhood we’re talking about with Tyson Bagent.
Yes, he’s a valuable asset to the Bears. Yes, he went 2–2 as a starter. And yes, he consistently shines in preseason action. But the regular-season production has been solid — not spectacular.
If the Bears move him, you’re probably looking at Day 3 draft compensation. A fourth-round pick would be the ceiling if Arizona (or another team) becomes desperate. More realistically, it’s a fifth- or sixth-round selection.
Is that worth it? That’s the debate.
But this isn’t shaping up to be some franchise-altering haul of draft capital coming back to Chicago.