Since coming aboard as an undrafted rookie out of Division II Shepherd University in 2023, Tyson Bagent has been quite a find for the Chicago Bears. Last August, the team proved how much they valued him by signing him to a two-year contract extension that kicks in this year.
Just before that agreement was announced, head coach Ben Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles separately heaped praise on Bagent.
"Man, he’s been phenomenal,” Johnson said . “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.”
During the broadcast of the second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, where Bagent had an excellent outing just days before the contract extension was announced, Poles did not mince words.
"Tyson’s a stud,” Poles said. “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.”
Last week, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 reported the Arizona Cardinals have interest in trading for Bagent.
How much the Bears would listen to trade offers is the question. At the NFL Combine, Poles acknowledged offers have come when asked if he'd consider trading Bagent.
"We've gotten a few calls there. Obviously, the tough thing is, what Ben thinks about Tyson, what I think about Tyson, what our locker room thinks about Tyson. That's a really tough decision for us but for Tyson as well."
Ben Johnson makes his feelings about Tyson Bagent absolutely clear
During his own podium session in Indianapolis, Johnson was asked what the conversation about trading Bagent is like between him and Poles when calls come. After drawing a laugh from the assembled reporters with a "No" through a fake cough, Johnson talked more seriously about Bagent.
"I love Tyson. That's one that kind of pulls at your hearstrings a little bit, because he's someone that you care about so deeply. And he's a hell of a football player, that at some point, you wanna see have a chance to do it himself.
"We'll always do what’s best for our team and our organization. I do think there's a lot of merit to having a strong No. 2 quarterback, which, he certainly fits that bill. I’m of the mind that he's probably one of the best 32 in the NFL. His preseason tape over that last few years has (probably) confirmed that, in my opinion."
"But, if I took myself out of the equation, I want what's best for him. If he would like an opportunity to start, I certainly hope he can get that somewhere."
Read more: A veteran edge rusher with a Ryan Poles tie may now land on the Bears' radar
Obviously, the starting quarterback job in Chicago is spoken for until further notice, with Caleb Williams on the trajectory he's currently on. Bagent's opportunity to start is most likely to come somewhere else than, and, assuming he wants it, the Bears' top two football people seem open to giving him that chance if it's out there in the coming weeks.