Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles revealed that the team has received trade inquiries regarding backup quarterback Tyson Bagent. Poles acknowledged that given the limited options at quarterback heading into free agency and the 2026 NFL draft, Chicago anticipated outside interest in Bagent, making any decision regarding his future particularly challenging.
“Obviously the tough thing is with what Ben (Johnson) thinks about Tyson, what I think about Tyson, what our locker room thinks about Tyson,”
Poles said.
“But for Tyson as well, he would have an opportunity to go and perform for a team and do some really good things.”
Reduced Playing Time and Market Context Affect Bagent’s Value
Tyson Bagent has seen very limited playing time over the past two years since Caleb Williams arrived, with just 27 combined offensive snaps in 2024. Although his opportunities were sparse, Bagent did draw some attention with his 2023 performance. In four starts that season, he passed for 776 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions, showcasing potential despite the small sample size.
That Bagent remains a topic of interest across the league underscores the scarcity of quality quarterback options currently available. The 2026 draft offers few standout quarterbacks, with Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza regarded as the top prospect and Alabama’s Ty Simpson the only other passer ranked highly in Bleacher Report’s top 50. The free-agent pool includes notable names such as Malik Willis, Daniel Jones, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, and soon, Kirk Cousins.
Trade Considerations and Potential Return for the Bears
Given the tight quarterback market, acquiring Bagent on a low-cost basis could be appealing to other teams. His salary cap impact is modest at $4.8 million over the next two seasons, meaning any trade price should remain reasonable. According to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7, the Arizona Cardinals have shown particular interest in exploring a deal for Bagent.
Despite this interest, questions remain about whether Bagent can be a reliable backup in the NFL. His passer rating of 73.0 and average yardage of 194 per game in meaningful snaps are modest. Comparisons with players like Jake Browning, who performed better in relief roles yet still struggled during extended playing time, highlight the uncertain upside.
Bearing these factors in mind, if the Bears can trade Bagent for a valuable Day 3 draft pick, it would represent a solid return on a backup quarterback unlikely to assume a starting role in Chicago’s near future.
Ryan Poles said the Bears have received calls for a trade of Tyson Bagent: "Obviously the tough thing is with what Ben (Johnson) thinks about Tyson, what I think about Tyson, what our locker room thinks about Tyson, it’s a really tough decision for us. … But for Tyson as well,…
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) February 24, 2026
Cunningham says he spoke with Kirk Cousins and his agent recently and told them the plan was to release Cousins the first day of the league year. #Falcons
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) February 24, 2026
Have heard the Cardinals are intrigued by Bears backup QB Tyson Bagent. He has one-year left on his deal so would have to trade for him. Grew up in Martinsburg, West Virginia and went to Shepherd University. Was an undrafted free-agent who beat out PJ Walker for the backup job…
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) February 17, 2026
