Sources: Bears sign backup QB Tyson Bagent to two-year extension

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Bears signed quarterback Tyson Bagent to a two-year contract extension on Tuesday, league sources told CHGO. Bagent is now under contract through the 2027 season. 

Originally signed by the Bears as an undrafted free agent out of Division II Shepherd University in 2023, Bagent quickly won over coach Ben Johnson and his coaching staff during the offseason program and in training camp. 

“Man, he’s been phenomenal,” Johnson said earlier this month. “I mean, he’s smart as a whip. Appreciate the seriousness and intent that he brings every time he walks into a room. Meeting room, walk-through, it doesn’t matter. He’s locked in. He’s focused. I think his teammates feel that from him. Love the fact (that) he’ll throw the ball and he keeps working through his progressions just so it goes home with exactly where everyone’s going to be in case he had to move on. I think he’s taken this seriously. He’s preparing the right way. And I couldn’t be more thrilled that he’s here with us.”

Bagent completed 13-of-22 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown for a 103.6 passer rating in the Bears’ 38-0 win in the preseason against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. He looked like a potential starter. Bagent led three touchdown-scoring drives and another one that ended in a field goal from kicker Cairo Santos. 

During the broadcast of the Bears-Bills game, general manager Ryan Poles also praised Bagent’s place on the roster. The quarterback was set to become a restricted free agent before his extension.

“Tyson’s a stud,” Poles said on the FOX broadcast. “There isn’t a harder worker on this football team than Tyson Bagent. You can just see with his background coming from Shepherd, always kind of had an underdog vibe to him. And the dude’s just gritty, and he’s tough and he continues to work and get better every single year.”

[Tyson Bagent on the fear, love, and work fueling his NFL dream]

Bagent started to win over Poles during his rookie season when he played in place of an injured Justin Fields in 2023. The Bears went 2-2 in those games with Bagent. He completed 65.7 percent of his passes (94-for-143) for three touchdowns and six interceptions. He had a 71.4 passer rating and 51.8 QBR. 

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CHGO’s Adam Hoge and Adam Jahns weigh in on the deal

Hoge: Love this deal for both sides. Bagent deserved a raise, but there was no guarantee he would get the opportunity to earn one from the Bears (or another team) for the next two seasons. On the other hand, if he did get that opportunity and played really well, he could have earned himself a massive contract in the future. This deal threads that needle. The Bears get a good backup with starting upside locked up through 2027, while Bagent gets his raise and an opportunity to earn even more money should he end up starting. 

As for what it means for Caleb Williams? There will certainly be conspiracy theories, but this deal is about rewarding Bagent and making sure the quarterback room is in a good place through the end of Williams’ rookie contract. 

Yes, there’s a little insurance built in here should Williams falter, but this extension shouldn’t induce any panic over the Bears’ belief in Williams. Williams will be the unquestioned starter going forward, while Bagent remains one of the better backup options in the league. Poles and Johnson should feel very good about their quarterback situation. 

Jahns: It’s notable that Bagent wanted to be here, though. He chose the Bears and Johnson. And he chose to be here for three more seasons. 

On the field, it certainly looks like Johnson’s system fits Bagent. Everyone saw some of that fit and comfort play out against the Bills, but Bagent has had a strong camp, too. The ball comes out quick from Bagent, and it’s spread around. He might not have the strongest arm but we’ve seen him fit the ball into tight windows. 

Williams is the Bears’ starting quarterback. Let’s make that clear: he is their starter. But it’s fair to wonder what Bagent would look like if he were playing with the Bears’ best players on every snap. My guess is that Johnson, Poles and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle have all thought the same at some point. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t have spoken so glowingly about him and signed him to a new deal. They believe in him. 

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Carm’s Final Thoughts

This is the first time in my Bears quarterback memory that the Bears have actually developed a quarterback the right way. First, Ryan Poles identified an undervalued Division-II QB who set NCAA records but still went undrafted. Then, Matt Eberflus and company had the gumption to cut veteran P.J. Walker and elevate Bagent to the backup position, where he ended up holding his own in his rookie year across four starts. 

Now, the Bears are rewarding Bagent with financial security while also ensuring they do not have to overpay for a backup quarterback in free agency. He is also super hungry to get his next opportunity to play and prove to the Bears and the NFL that he is much more than a backup.

If that happens, both Bagent and the Bears will be rewarded. This is a job well done and rewards a player in the room who has gone about his business the right way. Props to both the Bears and No. 17.