So, the Chicago Bears are now 3-1 after a win over the New York Jets in Week 4 and each one of their wins has come by way of a different starting quarterback.
No, I'm not counting that first snap by Case Keenum against the Jets as a "start."
That was Ben Johnson getting cute.
Now, as for the game itself and how Tyson Bagent fared, the numbers might tell you he had himself one heck of a game. But the stat sheet won't tell you how he really played.
Bagent had some good moments, and Johnson helped make it easy on him at times, giving him quick throws and easy completions. But the overall performance wasn't what Bagent's box score will tell you.
Tyson Bagent's almost-interceptions should be more than enough for Ben Johnson to re-think the QB room
The best way I can describe Bagent's performance, other than calling it "erratic," "inconsistent," or "up and down," is essentially saying that he looked as though he thought he had free play after free play against the Jets.
What do I mean?
When a quarterback sees the defense jump offsides, and the play continues, he gets a free play. Bears fans know these moments all too well dating back to Aaron Rodgers consistently torturing us via these instances.
On several occasions, it looked as though Bagent was just playing backyard football. He had several throws that were made as though he and the boys were playing 500 in the school yard.
Don't believe me?
How about the fact that Bagent should have ended up with four interceptions on the day?
In case you didn't watch all that closely, Bagent ended up with just one interception on the stat sheet. However, he threw three others that were all called back to penalties enforced on the Jets.
What happens if the Jets didn't shoot themselves in the foot and Bagent finished with four picks?
Are we talking about Bagent starting against the Packers? Or are we immediately jumping to the idea that Keenum and his even-keeled veteran presence are the better option?
Heck, let's say even just one of those interceptions stood, and Bagent ended the game with two picks. We'll even give the Jets an extra field goal in that instance, which would mean the Bears win this game by a score of 23-15.
The Bears escape with a one-score victory over the Jets, and Bagent turns in an inconsistent performance on the field as well as in the box score, where many folks choose to live.
The Jets aren't even that great of a football team. The Eagles have their problems, but they're still a more talented team than New York -- and Keenum looked far more confident in operating the offense against Philadelphia than Bagent did against the Jets.
Now, maybe all of this doesn't matter, and this game was simply a good practice run where Bagent gets his feet wet. Maybe this start and a good week of film and practice are enough to help him improve going into Packers week.
All I know is, this is Packers week we're talking about.
When it comes to Bears-Packers, it doesn't matter how good either team is. This is a matchup that can always go either way.
For that reason, the Bears need to go with the quarterback who they truly believe is best-suited to win the football game.
Is it Bagent? Or is it Keenum?
Read more: Devin Bush pulled no punches in calling out the Jets' offense after Bears win
Let's just say I do not envy Johnson's decision this week.
Add us as a preferred source on Google