Out of all the positions in the NFL, backup quarterback just might be the most interesting. You make millions to hold a clipboard and prepare in case the starter goes down. And in gritty football towns like Chicago, they often become a fan favorite pretty quickly. This is the case for Chicago Bears' Tyson Bagent, but it might not be for very long.
Trade rumors are swirling around where Bagent might play next year, with multiple sources indicating the Arizona Cardinals are a viable trade partner.
It will be a shame to see Bagent go, but the undrafted kid out of Shepherd University, a Division II school in Pennsylvania, deserves a chance to become a full-fledged starter in the league.
Tyson Bagent should get a shot at being an NFL starter
It's rare when a win-win trade happens in the NFL. This is one of those rare moments. If the Bears trade Bagent, it automatically frees up almost $5 million for a team desperate for cap space. For the Cardinals, who are ready to move on from disgruntled quarterback Kyler Murray, it gives them a solid bridge quarterback with upside during a rebuilding period.
The Bears are reportedly looking for a second-round pick to trade away Bagent to receive the green light, per Heavy.com. While this is hefty for a backup quarterback, it might be within the Cardinals' best interest to make it happen.
They are in desperate need of a quarterback to replace Murray, and Bagent offers an affordable option. He might not be Kirk Cousins, but you know what you are getting from Cousins. Bagent has upside because he's 25 and has spent a year developing at the position under Ben Johnson, a well-known quarterback guru who holds Bagent in high regard.
Bagent's most significant playing time came during the 2023 season when he filled in for an injured Justin Fields. In four starts, he compiled a 2-2 record and threw for 859 yards, three touchdowns, and six interceptions. He hasn't seen significant playing time since Caleb Williams took over as the starter.
Bagent was ranked as the second-worst backup quarterback in the league by Sports Illustrated last year. Only Kyle Trask on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was ranked lower.
Read more: Bears fans should pump the brakes on Tremaine Edmunds cap casualty narrative
Even though it will be tough to see him go, Bagent deserves a shot to prove the doubters wrong and make a name for himself in this league.