The Chicago Bears are coming off a 30-12 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. In this game, rookie UDFA Tyson Bagent started and clinched his first-ever NFL win. Bagent appeared cool, calm, and collected, resembling more of a 10-year vet than a rookie in his debut. He did exactly what the Bears needed him to do: not lose the game. However, with the win, debates and rumors have started to swirl around Chicago. The question on everyone’s lips is: Should the Bears start Bagent even when Justin Fields is healthy? Did Tyson Bagent’s performance in his first start create a tough decision for the coaches regarding the starting QB? Is there a QB controversy brewing in Chicago?
Tyson Bagent went from playing Division II football last year to winning his first career NFL start.
Amazing advice from the rookie. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/hXoUkZjewc
— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2023
Justin Fields Injury Opens the Door for Bagent vs Vegas
Tyson Bagent made a strong impression in his first-ever NFL start. He led the Bears to score on two of their first four possessions, establishing a 14-3 lead by halftime at Soldier Field. His approach was clear: get the ball out quickly and lean heavily on the run game. He was sacked just twice, found open receivers on his primary reads, and opted for checkdowns when necessary. This performance showcased why he went from being an UDFA to securing the backup job for the Chicago Bears. He was efficient, commanded the offense well, and most importantly, he ensured no turnovers or mistakes that could jeopardize the Bears’ lead.
Is Bagent the Answer the Bears Have Been Looking For?
While Tyson Bagent’s performance was commendable, especially for an undrafted rookie, it’s essential to differentiate between winning because of a quarterback and winning with one. A closer look at the game film and stats provides some clarity. Bagent finished with 21-29 for 162 yards and a touchdown. While solid, it’s not groundbreaking. Delving deeper, 15 of his 29 pass attempts were within 3 yards of the line of scrimmage. He didn’t attempt a single pass over 20 yards during the game and only completed one pass over 15 yards. Bagent played the role of a distributor, focusing on quick passes, screens, and hitting his primary read. If he continues with this style, the Bears might not lose games because of him, but they also won’t win games because of such performances.
Tyson Bagent’s passing chart vs the Raiders. pic.twitter.com/CGbrUcEQ81
— Dave (@dave_bfr) October 22, 2023
Concerns also emerged during the game. At halftime, the Bears pulled Bagent out for the last play and brought in Nathan Peterman for a hail-mary attempt. This raised eyebrows. In college, Bagent demonstrated a strong arm, but in his two regular-season appearances, he hasn’t shown the same capability. He’s attempted only three passes beyond 20 yards this year, with mixed results. This raises the question: Does Bagent have the arm strength for the NFL?
The Case for Justin Fields
Justin Fields has been inconsistent himself to start the year. He has a record of 1-4 in games this season which he’s played in full. However, a quick look at the stat book paints a different picture. Through 5 games, Fields was tied for second in the NFL in touchdown passes and was completing long passes down the field. He was on pace to throw for the highest yardage total in his career by more than 1,000 yards. Fields has his issues, but they are fixable. They are issues in the mental parts of the game. He is certainly smart enough to execute an NFL offense, having scored the highest score ever on the wonderlic test. It’s not a matter of intelligence or a matter of athletic talent, it’s a matter of overthinking.
At the Quarterback position, you have to be able to play freely without overthinking. Mechanics have to be second nature. You cannot be out on the field worrying about where your feet are or where you are in your drop. If Justin can put it together and become comfortable with his mechanics on the field, he can elevate his game. He offers big play-making ability with both his legs and his arm. Bears fans have seen him complete passes 50+ yards down the field and run for 75-yard touchdowns with his legs. There’s no question he can do the job athletically, and he has the ability to go out and single-handedly win games for the Bears. The ability to put a team on your back and carry them to a win is a skill that not many NFL QBs have, but Justin has it. He just needs to find that level of play more consistently.
Bears QB situation in a nutshell:
Tyson Bagent sits in a tight pocket, drops his arm angle and unloads a tough 3rd & 5 throw that I don't think Justin Fields would have pulled the trigger on.
Also, Fields probably bails to his left and dumps it off to Foreman (uncovered) for a… pic.twitter.com/jqf7NTszfI
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) October 23, 2023
Do We Have a QB Controversy in Chicago?
In short, no. As stated by head coach Matt Eberflus, “Justin is our starting quarterback.” That statement should put to rest any questions Bears fans might have. Tyson Bagent is a solid backup to have. It should provide comfort to Bears fans to know that they have a quarterback who can come in when Fields gets hurt and allow them to win football games. Justin Fields, however, has the “It” factor. He is on a different talent level than Bagent and is the type of quarterback who can take a team to the playoffs and cover up problems within his offense. He has the ability to explode and put up 40 points on good defenses any given week, something that Bagent simply does not have. Bears fans can look forward to Fields coming back and lighting up the field, but in the meantime, they are in good hands with backup Tyson Bagent until that time.
Main Photo Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
