The Bears Reportedly Set A Steep Price For Tyson Bagent — And Why It’s Fair
Tyson Bagent has become a hot commodity in NFL circles this offseason. With the prospect of weak free agent and draft classes this year, teams are looking to the trade market for answers. The Chicago Bears‘ backup has spent three years learning on the sideline. He went 2-2 as a starter in his rookie season of 2023. Last year, he learned under the guidance of Bears head coach Ben Johnson, one of the league’s premier offensive minds. He is also locked into a highly affordable contract that would give any team control for two more years. At 25, he is entering his prime. You can start to see the allure.
The problem for those teams is that the Bears aren’t inclined to make a deal. They love Bagent. He’s a terrific locker room guy, very smart, and they believe he’s more talented than his job title would suggest. Johnson himself said he believes Bagent is one of the 32 best quarterbacks in the NFL. In other words, he should be a starter. The Bears feel like they know what they have and aren’t keen on letting it go. That would explain the price tag they placed on him, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
The Bears let it be known they’ll take calls on Bagent, whom Johnson holds in high regard. It probably would take a second-round pick (or two picks equaling that value) to make it worthwhile for the Bears. The New York Jets are in the market for a starter and could be looking to go the budget route after sinking $30 million guaranteed into Justin Fields. I’m not sure a team would offer a Round 2 pick for Bagent. It’s worth noting the Bears have had meetings with agents representing some No. 2-type quarterbacks, so they’re putting contingency plans in place.
The Bears have history on their side with that Tyson Bagent price.
A 2nd round pick sounds like a lot, and it is. However, quarterbacks are the premium commodity in today’s NFL. We’ve known from watching every year that several “starters” around the league should be backups. If that is the case, it makes sense that some of the backups should be starters. That is why recent history shows such players going for a high price. Since 2000, there have been six trades involving a backup being acquired to become the clear starter for a new team. In every case, the original team received at least a 2nd round pick in total value.
| Player | Year | From To | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Garoppolo | 2017 | Patriots to 49ers | 2018 2nd-round pick |
| Kevin Kolb | 2011 | Eagles to Cardinals | 2nd-round pick and CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie |
| Matt Cassel | 2009 | Patriots to Chiefs | 2nd-round pick (included LB Mike Vrabel) |
| Matt Schaub | 2007 | Falcons to Texans | Two 2nd-round picks and a 1st-round swap |
| A.J. Feeley | 2004 | Eagles to Dolphins | 2005 2nd-round pick |
| Matt Hasselbeck | 2001 | Packers to Seahawks | 1st-round pick swap and a 3rd-round pick |
This also isn’t a tactic that is a constant failure. Hasselbeck and Garoppolo went to a Super Bowl. Schaub became a two-time Pro Bowler. Cassel won a division title. There have been more hits than misses in these cases, which the Bears can also point to as another reason they’re justified in asking for a 2nd rounder. In truth, they have the leverage. Bagent is secured under contract and poses no danger to their cap. They love having him, and he loves being there. That means there is no angle of attack for other teams. Either they pay up, or solve their QB problem elsewhere.
The offseason landscape is on the Bears’ side, too.
As stated above, the incoming 2026 draft class is light on options. Only one quarterback (Fernando Mendoza) is considered a ready-made NFL starter, and he’s going #1 overall. Everybody else in the class is a maybe. Free agency isn’t much better. Aaron Rodgers is in his 40s and nearing retirement. The same for Joe Flacco. Daniel Jones tore his Achilles last season. Malik Willis is a possibility, but he will cost a ton of money ($30 million per year). Kyler Murray will probably be traded. So you start to see why the Bears are in a favorable position.
Tyson Bagent is a young quarterback on a cheap contract. Such things are valuable in this league. The problem for other teams is that Chicago isn’t run by dummies anymore. Poles and Johnson know what they have. Neither is in danger of being fired, so desperation isn’t a factor. Keeping Bagent is something they’re more than fine with, which means another team must make them change their minds. Only an aggressive trade package will do it, and a 2nd round pick is fair.