Bears Trade Proposal Swaps Tyson Bagent for 26-Year-Old Edge

In just two seasons, Tyson Bagent has become a fan favorite whose poise and reliability earned him the backup quarterback spot behind Caleb Williams last year and Justin Fields the year prior.

But when the Bears brought veteran Case Keenum to Chicago to provide some much-needed veteran mentorship, Bagent’s job as QB2 became much less secure. While it’s very likely the Bears will carry three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, it’s also possible Chicago will consider trading Bagent and keeping Keenum, as there could be a few teams interested in a QB who has proven he can win in the NFL. Bagent qualifies.

Thus, the Bears face a bit of a dilemma: should they package Bagent as a trade asset and snag some draft capital, or invest in him instead?

Let’s say general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson are open to trading the third-year QB. Considering potential fits for Bagent coupled with needs the Bears currently have, we think the Seattle Seahawks might make a good trade partner. Here’s why.

Bears Trade Proposal Sends Tyson Bagent & Pick to Seattle for Edge Boye Mafe

GettyThe Chicago Bears should try to trade for Boye Mafe of the Seattle Seahawks.

 

For the Seahawks, adding Bagent would provide more insurance behind Sam Darnold, who will start in 2025 barring injury. They did draft Jalen Milroe in the third round, and they also have Drew Lock, but Bagent is younger than Lock, and Milroe hasn’t played a snap in the league.

Bagent is 2-2 as a starter, and he’s beyond affordable, with a cap hit just over $1 million in 2025.

As for the Bears, they could use affordable pass rush help, and Seattle edge Boye Mafe could provide it. Here’s a trade proposal that would benefit both teams:

• Chicago Bears receive: Boye Mafe
• Seattle Seahawks receive: QB Tyson Bagent, 2026 third-round pick

Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report named Mafe a top trade asset for Seattle, and while the Seahawks likely want to keep him, they also have DeMarcus Lawrence, Uchenna Nwosu and Derick Hall.

For the Bears, this trade would give them a potential difference-maker to compete alongside Dayo Odeyingbo and Montez Sweat. To balance the deal, the Bears would also send a future-third rounder.

Still on his rookie deal with a very affordable $2.1 million salary, Mafe would provide cap-efficient production for a Chicago front that is still being built out under new head coach Ben Johnson.

Mafe Has Shown Steady Growth Over His 3 NFL Seasons

Mafe was selected 40th overall by the Seahawks in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of the University of Minnesota  As a rookie, he played in all 17 regular season games, starting three. He finished with 41 total tackles (28 solo, three for loss) and 3.0 sacks.

His second season was his best so far. He started 16 games and led the Seahawks with 9.0 sacks, also adding six passes defensed, 12 QB hits and a forced fumble. PFF credited him with 58 total pressures that year.

Mafe was hampered by a knee injury early during his 2024 campaign. He wound up playing in 15 games (11 starts), and he finished with 40 total tackles (25 solo, eight for loss), 6.0 sacks, 12 QB hits and a forced fumble.

There’s no doubt Mafe would make a solid edition to just about any defensive line, and Seattle may want to keep him. It’s also possible Darnold hits it out of the park and the Seahawks won’t need any further help at QB. This is only a hypothetical trade idea, of course. But if things head south, it’s an idea that could help both teams.