One inevitable consequence of a new head coach’s arrival is roster changes. Players who were likely safe under one staff quickly find themselves on uncertain ground with the next. This was always going to happen with Ben Johnson taking over. The only question was who might find their way out of town. It is still months before answers to that emerge. Johnson won’t rush any decisions until he’s had a chance to see everybody on the field, both in practice and preseason games. Still, it isn’t difficult to see what might be coming.
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Johnson already hinted at a significant shift at the team’s most important position. Everybody knows Caleb Williams is the starting quarterback. That will not change. However, the same can’t be said for the backup job. Tyson Bagent has been the team’s #2 option for the past two years and, by all accounts, has done well. Unfortunately, it sounds like his spot is no longer safe. Johnson indicated as much by saying veteran Case Keenum is very much in play for the primary backup job.
Ben Johnson has an interesting decision ahead of him.
We should just presume Keenum will be the #2 guy. He’s far more experienced and proven on the field. He can also serve as a great mentor and sounding board for Williams. What happens with Bagent? The answer comes down to two possibilities. Either the Bears choose to keep three quarterbacks on the roster, or they trade him. Cutting Bagent feels like something they won’t want to do. Other teams reportedly hold him in high regard and wouldn’t hesitate to scoop him up. If the Bears know they’re likely to lose him, then a trade of some kind at least gives them something back.
The organization doesn’t usually hold onto three quarterbacks. The last time it was done for a full season was 2021 with Justin Fields, Andy Dalton, and Nick Foles. That said, Ben Johnson has held three quarterbacks before. He did it last year with Jared Goff, Teddy Bridgewater, and Hendon Hooker. Much of it depends on what he sees from Bagent in July and August. No pressure, right?
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