Tyson Bagent Bears Quarterback Bears News Bears Trade Ben Johnson
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Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent.
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson got a little emotional at the 2026 NFL Combine when talking about backup quarterback Tyson Bagent and the teams that have expressed interest in potentially acquiring him in an offseason trade.
Trade rumors about Bagent ignited last week when John Gambadoro, a longtime radio host for Arizona Sports 98.7 FM in Phoenix, reported on social media that the Arizona Cardinals are “intrigued” about the possibility of making a trade for the Bears’ QB2.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles then confirmed the trade interest in Bagent when speaking at the combine on February 24, saying that they have received “a few calls.”
While that is no indication that the Bears will trade Bagent, it is a subject that weighs heavily on Johnson’s heart, as he made clear during his combine media availability.
“I love Tyson, and that’s one that kind of pulls at your heartstrings a little bit because he is someone you care about so deeply, and he’s a helluva football player that, at some point, you want to see him have a chance to do it himself,” Johnson said Tuesday.
“We’ll always do what’s best for our team and our organization. I do think there is a lot of merit to having a strong No. 2 quarterback, which he certainly fits that bill. I’m of the mind that he is probably one of the best 32 [quarterbacks] in the NFL. His preseason tape over the last few years has probably confirmed that, in my opinion. But if I took myself out of the equation, I want what’s best for him. If he would like an opportunity to start, I certainly hope he can get that somewhere.”
Trade Could Help Bears ‘Do Right’ by Tyson Bagent
The Bears are not just going to turn over their valuable backup quarterback for nothing, but it is worth noting that general manager Ryan Poles has a history of trying to do right by his players when it comes to charting a course for their futures outside of Chicago.
Back in 2024, when the Bears were preparing to select Williams with the No. 1 overall pick, Poles vowed to “do right” by former starter Justin Fields and find him an ideal landing spot on the trade market. Ultimately, he kept his word, accepting a sixth-round offer from the Pittsburgh Steelers in favor of “at least one better offer from a team with an established quarterback starter,” according to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.
Poles has also released players ahead of deadlines to give them more opportunities to find their next teams, including recently with veteran linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga.
With that in mind, it would not be a total shock if the Bears decided to trade Bagent to a team where he could compete for a starting job. Johnson and Poles have both glowed about Bagent’s fit in their quarterback room, but Williams made himself the undeniable starter for the Bears in 2025, significantly reducing Bagent’s chance for playing time.
The Bears would also clear between $3.75 million and $4.25 million in cap space if they found a trade partner for Bagent, who signed a two-year, $10 million extension in 2025. Between the financial and “do right” incentives, the right offer could get a deal done.
How Much Could Tyson Bagent Net Bears in a Trade?
While the right offer might persuade the Bears to trade Bagent, it is unclear what they would consider to be the appropriate compensation for their backup quarterback.
Bagent started the only four games of his NFL career when he filled in for the injured Fields in 2023 as an undrafted rookie, completing 84 of his 129 passes (65.1%) for 776 yards and throwing three touchdowns to five interceptions. During the 2025 preseason, though, he went 46-for-69 passing with 511 yards, five touchdowns and an interception, dazzling the competition and further cementing his place as the No. 2 QB in Chicago.
If a team is willing to buy into the progress that Bagent showed in the 2025 preseason, the Bears could realistically set the asking price at a mid-round pick. A fourth-rounder is probably too much to expect for an inexperienced quarterback, especially if Chicago wants a 2026 pick, but they could potentially push the value into that range if they take a 2027 pick instead with playing-time conditions attached to upgrade the selection.
Then again, it all depends on what the Bears consider to be “best for their organization.”