Bears sign Tyson Bagent to two-year backup deal through 2027 with incentives up to $16 million
The Chicago Bears have solidified their quarterback depth by signing Tyson Bagent to a two-year, $10 million contract that runs through the 2027 season, with incentives that can push the total to $16 million. The deal was confirmed by ESPN’s Tom Pelissero after CHGO Bears first reported the move. Bagent will serve as the top backup behind starter Caleb Williams.
Bagent is not new to Chicago. He spent the last two seasons with the Bears, appearing in nine games and making four starts in 2023. The move comes in the wake of a standout preseason showing, highlighted by a 38-0 win over the Buffalo Bills, where Bagent directed the offense with 196 passing yards, a touchdown on 13-of-22 passing, and a nine-yard rushing attempt. He also led the team with 103 rushing yards in the preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins.
“I’ll be watching a lot of football this year. If everything goes well, this is it,” Bagent said after the preseason performance. “This means the world to me. It means a lot, but I’m really just trying to continue to get better myself day in and day out, bank as many reps as possible and be as ready as I possibly can be for the long season that’s coming.”
A former undrafted free agent who joined the Bears in 2023, Bagent hails from Shepherd University in West Virginia, a Division II program where he was one of the nation’s premier players. He won the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2021, the DII equivalent of the Heisman Trophy, and earned two first-team DII All-American selections during his college career.
The Bears are hoping Bagent can provide dependable depth while Williams continues to grow. Williams has shown promise in his development, and head coach Ben Johnson has noted progress in training camp, describing Williams as taking “two steps forward, one step back” in his first camp under the new coach. If Williams continues to ascend, Bagent’s playing time would likely mirror his 2022 season—limited, unless needed in specific situations or injury scenarios.
Why this matters: the Bears now have a veteran, familiar quarterback ready to step in if Williams falters or is unavailable, without sacrificing long-term flexibility. The contract structure balances immediate depth with upside via incentives, giving Chicago a steady backup solution as it navigates Williams’s development and a potentially evolving quarterback room.
Summary: Tyson Bagent’s two-year secured deal gives the Bears a seasoned, cost-controlled backup who already understands the organization, while Williams continues to develop. If Williams takes a meaningful step forward, Bagent’s role should remain limited but reliable, providing insurance and continuity as Chicago builds around its presumed franchise quarterback.
Positive spin: The move reinforces a steady, homegrown approach to quarterback depth, celebrating Bagent’s journey from Division II standout to NFL depth option and reinforcing the Bears’ commitment to nurturing internal talent while maintaining veteran reliability behind a rising starter.