There has been some buzz surrounding the Chicago Bears and potentially trading their backup quarterback, Tyson Bagent, away from the team.
Bagent's name has been attached to teams like the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Jets as potential landing spots, depending on whether the Bears can get at least a Day 2 pick for him. If they are able to execute a trade and move Bagent off the roster, there's an upcoming visit scheduled that could be the person player to fill in for him.
NFL reporter Arye Pulli reported that Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis has six pre-draft visits scheduled, including one with the Bears. Last season with the Scarlett Knights, Kaliakmanis completed 62.2% of his passes for 3,124 yards and 20 touchdowns to seven interceptions, adding two more scores on the ground.
Athan Kaliakmanis could make it easy for Bears to move on from Tyson Bagent
Bagent has been a solid, reliable starter over the last three years and has the respect of his general manager, Ryan Poles, and head coach Ben Johnson. The Bears have not been so eager to trade Bagent away, but if the right offer comes in, it might be hard to ignore.
Kaliakmanis would be a great option for the Bears, as there is no pressure for him to ever start, and Johnson can spend the next few years developing him. Case Keenum could move up as Caleb Williams's backup so that Kaliakmanis can just sit on the bench and learn from them.
There will be some things Johnson has to work on with Kaliakmanis, as he has not been the most accurate quarterback, but he's got the natural arm talent to make the throws from the pocket and even use his legs to pick up extra yards. Sounding familiar to a certain QB1 in Chicago?
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The Bears have a great situation at quarterback, but if they can add a pick or two while bringing in a potential future backup in the league, why not take that chance if Poles has the chance to?