Menu
Sign in
Show Search
Menu
World
U.S.
Politics
Sports
Entertainment
Business
Science
Be Well
Photography
Climate
Tech
Lifestyle
Español
The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.
The Associated Press
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Menu
Sign in
Show Search
Menu
World
U.S.
Politics
Sports
Entertainment
Business
Science
Be Well
Photography
Climate
Tech
Lifestyle
Español
The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.
Cookie Settings
The Associated Press
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Tyson Bagent sparks the Bears with a 97-yard opening TD to wrap preseason with win over Titans
Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent attempts a pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent attempts a pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
1 of 5 |
Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent attempts a pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Read More
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Khalen Saunders pauses during a moment of silence for Dolly Parton prior to a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Khalen Saunders pauses during a moment of silence for Dolly Parton prior to a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward, left, and running back Tony Pollard look on as teammates warm up prior to a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward, left, and running back Tony Pollard look on as teammates warm up prior to a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III looks on as teammates warm up prior to a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III looks on as teammates warm up prior to a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Zavion Thomas catches a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Zavion Thomas catches a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tyson Bagent connected with Zavion Thomas for a 97-yard touchdown on Chicago’s first offensive play and the Bears wrapped up the [preseason](https://See AP%E2%80%99s full NFL coverage here) Saturday night with a 24-15 win over the Tennessee Titans in a battle of mostly backups.
With Caleb Williams watching from the sideline, Bagent completed his first seven passes for 155 yards. He also tossed a 2-yard TD pass to Maurice Alexander in the second quarter, helping Chicago (2-1) convert its first four fourth downs.
Coach Robert Saleh had talked of building reps for his starters through the preseason games for his Titans (2-1). After a joint practice against each preseason opponent, all NFC playoff teams, Saleh started essentially backups with Cam Ward watching Will Levis start in a final display before the NFL cut deadline Sunday.
Bagent, undrafted out of Division II, showed again why the Bears signed him to a two-year extension in August 2025 to back up Williams. Bagent was 16 of 17 for 208 yards with two TDs before leaving with a 14-9 halftime lead.
Tennessee did start a trio of defensive regulars in end Jacob Martin, linebacker Cedric Gray and nickel cornerback Marcus Harris. Bagent had no problem beating the rest of the Titans’ backup secondary featuring Keydrain Calligan and Micah Robinson.
Martin recovered a fumble credited to Bagent off a botched handoff on the second drive, prompting a celebration joined by All-Pro tackle Jeffery Simmons, end Jermaine Johnson II and rookie end Keldric Faulk who watched from the sideline.
Levis was 14 of 22 for 143 yards with a fumble he recovered off a botched handoff. The 33rd overall pick in the 2023 draft did lead the Titans to a trio of field goals, the last as time expired.
Related Stories
Saleh embraces Titans’ preseason blunders as awesome for teaching tape after 19-16 win
Saleh embraces Titans’ preseason blunders as awesome for teaching tape after 19-16 win
Titans coach calls hit by Bears safety Xavier Woods on Wan’Dale Robinson in joint practice ‘cheap’
Titans coach calls hit by Bears safety Xavier Woods on Wan’Dale Robinson in joint practice ‘cheap’
A fifth-round pick out of Arkansas barges into the Titans’ right guard battle
A fifth-round pick out of Arkansas barges into the Titans’ right guard battle
Bears and Titans use quarterback rotations
Case Keenum took over in the third quarter for Chicago. Roschon Johnson ran for a 3-yard TD with Cairo Santos adding a field goal to pad the lead to 24-9. Rookie QB Miller Moss, undrafted out of Louisville, played the fourth quarter for Chicago.
Hendon Hooker took over for Levis after halftime. Mitch Trubisky, signed in March to back up Ward, stayed on the sideline along with the Titans’ starting quarterback.
Tennessee’s lone TD came on a 9-yard run by D’Ernest Johnson with 3:50 left. The 2-point conversion failed.
Slye was the Titans’ best offensive threat this preseason
Slye finished the preseason with 11 field goals, including becoming the first NFL player since the start of the 2017 preseason to make at least four in consecutive exhibitions. He added two more in the first half against the Bears and finished by making all five from 50 yards out or longer.
By halftime, he had 11 field goals for the most by any player in a preseason since Graham Gano had 13 in 2016 for Carolina.
Up next
Bears: Open the season Sept. 13 at Carolina.
Titans: Host Saleh’s old team the New York Jets on Sept. 13.
___
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Walker covers sports in Tennessee for The Associated Press, including college sports and the NFL’s Titans, the NBA’s Grizzlies and the NHL’s Predators.
twitter instagram mailto
What to know about the Mount Kailash pilgrimage site after floods in Nepal and Tibet
12
Trump says US has entered deal with Venezuela to take control of 65 billion barrels of oil reserves
1027
Nepal-China flood survivors reach safe areas as families await news of nearly 3,000 missing
27
Former White House teleprompter operator ordered to turn over profits, pay fine over insider trading
122
Trump’s Greenland threats cast a shadow on Iceland’s vote on whether to trigger EU membership talks
246