The Chicago Bears have a battle brewing between Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum for the backup QB position, and if Keenum comes out on top, the Bears will have a reasonable trade asset on their hands in Bagent.
Bagent joined Chicago as an undrafted free agent ahead of the 2023 campaign. He won the backup QB job behind Justin Fields and stepped in across five games (four starts) while Fields battled an injury during the middle of that season.
Bagent went 2-2 as the Bears’ starter, throwing for 859 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions. He also rushed the football 23 times for 109 yards and two scores.
The Bears dealt Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers the following offseason and replaced him with No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, but Bagent remained. And, yet again, he won the backup job in 2024.
Bagent is about to enter the final year of his $2.72 million contract, after which he will become a restricted free agent. Chicago clearly likes what Bagent can offer and procured him at strong value. That said, the team brought in Keenum to compete for the job.
Keenum put up his best season during his one year with Minnesota (2017) but has very little trade value heading into his age-37 campaign.
Bagent, on the other hand, could probably net the Bears a Day-3 draft pick from a team like the Vikings, which isn’t set at QB2 and also has questions about starter J.J. McCarthy due to his inexperience and all of his unknowns.
Vikings Looking for Alternative to QB2 Sam Darnold Behind Starter J.J. McCarthy
GettyQuarterback Sam Howell of the Minnesota Vikings.
Sam Howell made a strong showing in the Vikings’ preseason opener against the Houston Texans on Saturday, but his job remains in real jeopardy.
As he enters his fourth professional season, it’s clear that Howell belongs in the league. However, it isn’t clear that he should serve as the first line of defense behind McCarthy. The team acknowledged as much when head coach Kevin O’Connell chose to replace Howell during second-team work in favor of QB3 Brett Rypien approximately one week ago, and considerable trade speculation from Vikings insiders followed.
Thus, Howell’s 11-of-13 performance for 105 passing yards against Houston isn’t necessarily going to buy him anything, and it’s reasonable to assume that Minnesota will at least continue to keep its proverbial head on a swivel with regards to another, perhaps safer and more suitable option.
Bagent fits that bill, potentially at the price of a Day-3 draft pick.
Bears Should Consider Trading Tyson Bagent for Draft Pick if Case Keenum Wins QB2 Job in Preseason
GettyFormer Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum is now with the Chicago Bears.
If Keenum beats out Bagent in the preseason, then hunting for a deal makes sense for Chicago. And Bagent, despite being relatively young himself, can offer Minnesota a signal-caller behind McCarthy who has proven he can step in and succeed if the Vikings don’t believe Howell is that guy.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson had nothing but good things to say about Bagent during a press conference on August 5.
“Man, he’s been phenomenal. I mean, he’s smart as a whip. Appreciate the seriousness and intent that he brings every time he walks into a room,” Johnson said. “He’s locked in, he’s focused. I think his teammates feel that from him. Love the fact he’ll throw the ball, and he keeps working through his progressions. … 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.”
It doesn’t necessarily make sense for the Bears to move Bagent if they believe he’s clearly a better option than Keenum by the time Week 1 rolls around and/or if they see a longterm future with Bagent as their backup QB. In any other scenario, Bagent is a reasonable trade candidate.
