The Chicago Bears are putting to rest any speculation about the future of backup quarterback Tyson Bagent. On August 20th, news broke that the Bears and Bagent agreed on a two-year, $10 million contract extension worth up to $16 million with incentives, tying him to Chicago through the 2027 season. The deal, first reported by CHGO Bears and confirmed by Bagent’s representation at Milk and Honey Sports and Key Player Management, still wasn’t enough to shut down the trade rumors of sending Bagent to a QB-needy team.
NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo wasted no time in shutting down those rumors, stating emphatically that the Bears have no plans to trade Bagent.
“There’s been chatter here and elsewhere on social media about whether the Bears would trade Tyson Bagent to a QB-needy team. This is an emphatic no way. Ben Johnson & Co. have gotten off to a great start with Bagent, and the feelings are mutual,” Garafolo tweeted.
Instead, the extension reflects the confidence Chicago’s front office and the coaching staff have in the 24-year-old quarterback, who has quietly developed into one of the NFL’s most reliable backups.
A Rare and Strategic Extension
What makes the deal unique is the timing. Fellow NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero pointed out that Bagent, who went undrafted in 2023, became eligible for a new contract entering his third season, unlike most players who typically have to wait until their fourth season. The Bears saw an opportunity to secure a key piece of their quarterback room before the rest of the league came knocking.
“Early extensions like this are rare, and so is the opportunity to develop under Ben Johnson, who now has one of the NFL’s best backups locked up,” Pelissero explained. The praise reflects what many around the league have noticed: Bagent has gone from just another undrafted tryout to one of the most valuable No. 2 quarterbacks in football.
The extension ensures stability behind starting quarterback Caleb Williams while rewarding Bagent for his development and work ethic.
Ben Johnson and Ryan Poles Laud Tyson Bagent’s Impact
Beyond the numbers, the Bears made it clear that this deal was about more than just locking up a backup. Head coach Ben Johnson praised Bagent’s steady improvement since arriving in Chicago.
“I’ve really been blown away by his approach from the spring to the start of camp to where we are now,” Johnson said. “He does a tremendous job knowing what to do, how to do it, and getting it done.”
General manager Ryan Poles echoed that sentiment, crediting Bagent not only for his play but for his influence in the locker room.
“We are fortunate to ensure that Tyson remains a member of the Chicago Bears,” Poles stated. “He is one of the hardest workers on our team and in addition to being a great competitor and teammate, he is a catalyst for positive influence throughout our entire organization.”
In a joint statement, Johnson added, “Tyson epitomizes what we are building at the Chicago Bears. We are constructing a team that is driven by belief and built by hard work, and there is no better example of that than Tyson Bagent.”
For a franchise that has often struggled to find stability at quarterback, keeping Bagent in the fold represents progress toward a more secure and sustainable future. And it’s crazy to think that Bagent is the first QB to be extended by the Bears since Jay Cutler in 2014.
With Garafolo shutting down any trade rumors and the front office publicly investing in him, the message is clear: Tyson Bagent isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon.
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