Through words from head coach Ben Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles, and actions upon giving him a contract extension last summer, the Chicago Bears made it clear how much they value Tyson Bagent in his role as Caleb Williams' backup.
Bagent hasn't started a regular-season game since his rookie season in 2023, but he has put good things on preseason tape, and other teams have taken notice. The Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons are among the teams that could have interest in trading for him, and at the NFL Combine, Poles acknowledged he has received calls.
In his own comments at the NFL Combine, Johnson re-established his affinity for Bagent while also realizing he might like the opportunity to start somewhere. And as Dan Wiederer of The Athletic noted during a recent appearance on 104.3 The Score, trading Bagent has to come with a plan to replace him and consideration for the process of getting that quarterback up to speed with the offense.
The dearth of good quarterback options in free agency and the draft seems to be driving strong interest in Bagent. That said, most of the places he could go to start aren't very appealing from a team perspective. So as much as he has a say in the matter, he might want to stay with the Bears for one more year.
Bears will not easily trade Tyson Bagent (as expected)
Reporting from the Combine, Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports added what the Bears are looking for if they are going to trade Bagent,
"There’s been talk of teams interested in trading for Chicago Bears backup Tyson Bagent, but I’m told the only way the team moves him is if they’re offered a significant package of picks and/or players."
"During the early part of the 2025 season, when Caleb Williams was struggling, I previously reported on the affection head coach Ben Johnson has for Bagent. I’m told that the Bears really like their quarterback room the way it presently stands. Not only does the team want to hold onto Bagent, but it will try to bring back 13-year veteran Case Keenum as a coach for the two younger signal callers."
"Another year under Ben Johnson will also be good for Bagent, who has two years left on his deal with the Bears."
If the Bears get an offer they can't refuse for Bagent, Keenum would be the in-house replacement option. But he'd ideally be the veteran in the room while never having to play, and the Bears clearly value that role too.
Read more: Zane Durant's combine results sent an unmistakable message to Bears' Ryan Poles
Teams that have expressed interest in Bagent surely have some sense of what it will take to get him, and Pauline's report aligns with how much the Bears value him. Time will tell if someone meets that asking price.