The Chicago Bears made headlines during the preseason when they chose to extend quarterback Tyson Bagent.
While Caleb Williams remains fixed as the team’s QB1, Bagent’s re-signing is a reminder that good depth and a developmental upside in the backup role are invaluable commodities.
The Bears signed Bagent to a two-year, $10 million contract extension last week, with the potential to rise to $16 million with incentives, keeping him with the team through 2027. This made him the first Bears quarterback to receive an extension since Jay Cutler in 2014.
And, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Bagent — who has admitted he has aspirations to be a starting quarterback in this league — believes working with Bears head coach Ben Johnson will help him meet that very goal.
Tyson Bagent Believes Ben Johnson Will Help Him Become a Starting QB in the NFL
GettyChicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent believes Ben Johnson can help him develop into a starter.
From a performance standpoint, Bagent has looked fantastic throughout the 2025 preseason. He completed 13-of-22 passes for 196 yards, a touchdown, no interceptions and a passer rating of 103.6 against the Buffalo Bills, and he followed that up with a 20-of-28 effort for 212 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 128.9 in a comeback win over Kansas City.
Sure, it’s only preseason, but multiple outings looking good in a new offense shows Bagent has a solid grasp on what Johnson is trying to install. He inked his new deal just prior to the game against the Chiefs, and he explained after signing why he put his dream of being a starting QB on hold.
“That was the hard part,” Bagent said about putting his dream of starting aside to sign a new deal as Williams’ backup, via Biggs. “We all still think that can happen with this deal. After this deal is over with, I will be in a much better place and much more ready to play a lot of games if I keep learning from this staff for as long as I can. That’s what went into it.”
Bagent also says when his new contract has expired, “I’ll be in my prime.”
How Johnson’s Offense Can Help Chicago’s QBs
In Detroit, where he spent three seasons as offensive coordinator, Johnson helmed a top-five offense and was named AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year in 2024. His scheme, known for using pre-snap motion and other quarterback-friendly aspects, famously elevated Jared Goff’s stats and efficiency.
Johnson has publicly asserted confidence in the Bears’ QBs room, calling it “one of the best rooms in the NFL … from top to bottom.”
Johnson’s cerebral approach combined with Bagent’s coachability and drive could very well creates a strong foundation for the young QB to continue progressing. Could Bagent potentially earn consideration as a starter in the future? It’ll take loads of work, but the new Bears HC said some pretty telling things about his current QB2.
“He and I are probably wired very similar,” Johnson said about Bagent. “When he enters a room, he’s usually all business. To get him to crack a smile sometimes is a challenge, which we like to do. … He’s so serious about his job. He wants to do so well and he wants the team to do well. He’s always locked in. I can appreciate that about him. I can relate.”
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