Tyson Bagent starting in an NFL game as a rookie was something that very few people saw coming.
The Chicago Bears brought in the quarterback from Division II Shepherd University as an undrafted free agent with meager expectations. Now, he will start in place of the injured Justin Fields for the team’s Week 7 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The 23-year-old finds himself in a spot that many previous Bears backups have experienced: abruptly being thrust into a starting role.
Bagent’s path is distinctly unique, though.
How Did Tyson Bagent Find Himself In This Spot?
Bagent spent his college career at Shepherd University, a Division II school, where he was nothing short of dominant. Bagent set NCAA Division II records in career yards with 17,213 and career touchdown passes with 159. He also set numerous school records.
Despite his dominance in college, Bagent went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, the Chicago Bears picked him up almost immediately as a highly coveted undrafted free agent.
Bagent began his NFL career as the Bears’ fourth-string quarterback behind Fields, P.J. Walker, and Nathan Peterman. He was forced to fight an uphill battle to earn a roster spot immediately. The rookie held his own during training camp, but the real test came during the preseason.
In his first preseason game against the Tennessee Titans, Bagent played sparingly, recording 37 yards while going 4-for-5 passing. He did outplay then-backup P.J. Walker, who registered 19 yards and one interception while completing just four of eight passes.
In the second preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, Bagent strung together his best performance, notching 76 yards while going 9-for-10. He added four rushing yards and a touchdown on two carries. He looked efficient and composed in his limited reps and once again outplayed Walker, who went 1-for-4 passing with just six passing yards.
Bagent’s performance against the Colts firmly placed him in the mix to take the team’s backup quarterback role.
“I’ve pretty much beat every odd that there was for me,” Bagent said. “So, I’ve got nothing to lose.”
In the Bears’ preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills, the rookie put together yet another solid performance. Although he went just 7-for-14 with 43 yards and an interception through the air, the up-and-coming signal-caller added 22 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on four carries. He would end the preseason with 156 passing yards, one interception, 24 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns.
The rookie’s preseason was impressive enough to win a roster spot. Not only did the undrafted Division II rookie make the team, but he also exceeded expectations and prompted the Bears to release Walker.
As the season came around, Bagent spent the first three games as a healthy scratch while Nathan Peterman operated as the team’s backup. Things would change quickly, though, as in Week 4, Bagent was officially named the Bears’ No. 2 quarterback, usurping Peterman.
Does not surprise me at all.
Looks like Equanimeous St. Brown will get his first opportunity to play this season.
According to Rapoport's sources, Tyson Bagent will be QB No. 2 today to back up Justin Fields.
The #Bears are making some changes. https://t.co/TfgkJV41En
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) October 1, 2023
It didn’t take long for the 23-year-old to see his first action in the NFL. In Week 6 versus the Minnesota Vikings, Bagent entered in relief after Fields suffered a right thumb dislocation.
Bagent struggled in his first pro appearance, headlined by a strip-sack that Minnesota returned for a scoop-and-score touchdown on just the second play of his career. It wasn’t an ideal start. The rookie eventually settled in, made some solid plays, and ran for his first NFL touchdown.
.@tysbagent ➡️ @idjmoore for a gain of 24
📺: #MINvsCHI on FOX pic.twitter.com/bIbwCgXW7c
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 15, 2023
First NFL TD for @tysbagent 🙌
📺: #MINvsCHI on FOX pic.twitter.com/f0jxCMiEAU
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 15, 2023
Bagent’s NFL debut ended how it started, though, as a poor throw led to a costly game-ending interception. He finished the day with 83 yards on 10 of 14 passing, plus four rushing yards on two carries. He tallied one touchdown, one interception, and one fumble. While there were many rookie mistakes, there were also many encouraging plays. Bagent went into the game unexpectedly and abruptly in Week 6 but will have more time to prepare for Week 7.
Expectations for Bagent’s first career start will certainly be high.
What Can The Bears Expect From Bagent?
Tyson Bagent is now at the center of the NFL world. He will make his first start, but nobody knows what to expect from the rookie.
For Bagent, he feels comfortable running the Chicago offense. He told the coaching staff not to scale back the play-calls when he went into the game against the Vikings, and he added that he was comfortable with everything on the play sheet.
New #Bears starting QB, Tyson Bagent said he told the Coaches not to scale back the play-calls when he came into the game against the Vikings. He told them he was comfortable with everything on the play sheet.
*I stole this pic from @NicholasMoreano b/c his camera is better* pic.twitter.com/T94L6bQg15
— Herb Howard (@HerbHoward411) October 18, 2023
The poised 23-year-old also comes into Week 7 with a “nothing to lose” mentality.
“I think everything that has happened and will happen was already set in stone to happen, and I think coming from where I come from, I’ve pretty much beat every odd that there was for me,” Bagent told Chris Emma of 670 The Score. “So, I’ve got nothing to lose.”
Bagent has the confidence to run the offense, but it’s doubtful the offense will operate the same as it normally does under Fields.
Going up against one of the top pass-rushers in the league, Maxx Crosby, with a depleted offensive line, getting the ball out quickly will be imperative. The short- to mid-range passing game and capitalizing on the YAC abilities of D.J. Moore and Darnell Mooney will play a key role for Chicago. Bagent struggled to throw deep in his debut, so seeing the Bears dialing up deep passes in Week 7 will be rare despite Las Vegas’ weak secondary.
Fields’ running ability will be dearly missed, too, as Bagent’s athleticism is nowhere near that of Fields. The rookie can take off in short-yardage situations, but that’s about it.
The run game won’t have an uber athletic quarterback, but Chicago will likely still heavily rely on the ground attack. D’Onta Foreman and Darrynton Evans are two capable running backs that the Bears will use heavily. The blazing speed of Velus Jones Jr. will also elevate the run game.
If the ground game succeeds, it’ll make Tyson Bagent’s life much easier — plain and simple.
The offense will undoubtedly look quite different on Sunday with Tyson Bagent under center, and there’s no guarantee the rookie will be able to succeed in his first NFL start. It’s important to remember that he is still an undrafted rookie with minimal experience.
This is why fans must temper expectations.
But with their expectations in check, fans will also be pleasantly elated if Bagent succeeds.
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