Tyson Bagent Bio
Tyson Jacob Bagent is an American professional football quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Born on June 8, 2000, in Martinsburg, West Virginia, he played college football for the Shepherd Rams and signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2023. In his rookie season, he became the first Division II undrafted quarterback to start an NFL game since 1950.
After breaking numerous Division II and NCAA passing records at Shepherd, Bagent earned national recognition as one of the most productive quarterbacks in college football history. He continues to serve as a backup quarterback in Chicago and is widely regarded as one of the most successful small-school quarterbacks to reach the NFL in recent decades.
Early Life and Background
Tyson Jacob Bagent grew up in Martinsburg, West Virginia, as the oldest of four children. His father, Travis Bagent, is a world arm-wrestling champion with 17 titles, and Tyson has described him as his right-hand man. Tyson is of Welsh descent through his grandfather, Dave Humphreys, who emigrated from Maentwrog, Gwynedd.
Bagent attended Martinsburg High School, where he played football and basketball. In 2017, he was named the West Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year after throwing 41 touchdown passes. He finished his high school career with 7,800 passing yards and 112 touchdown passes, drawing interest from several college programs.
Although recruited by Division I FCS programs Robert Morris and Albany, Bagent chose to play at Shepherd University, a Division II program in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The decision allowed him to start early and develop as a multi-year starter at the college level.
Path to American Football
Bagent became Shepherd’s starting quarterback as a freshman in 2018, debuting on September 1 against the Notre Dame Falcons with 518 passing yards and three touchdowns. That season set school records for completions, attempts, and passing yards in a single game, and he finished the year with 3,029 yards and 29 touchdowns, earning First-team All-MEC honors.
He continued to build his profile in 2019, passing for 4,349 yards and 36 touchdowns while being named Second-team All-PSAC East. His junior season was shortened by COVID-19, but he returned in 2021 to lead Division II in completions, attempts, yards, and touchdowns, earning the Harlon Hill Trophy and the Hardman Award as the top amateur athlete in West Virginia.
By the end of his senior season in 2022, Bagent held the NCAA record for career passing touchdowns with 159, along with Division II records for completions and passing yards. After participating in the 2023 Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine, he signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent.
Tyson Bagent Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Bagent’s first college start came in the 2018 season opener, when he set multiple school records for completions, attempts, and yards in a single game. He earned back-to-back Mountain East Conference Offensive Player of the Week awards early in the season and finished the year as a First-team All-MEC selection.
During the 2019 season, Bagent posted multiple 400-yard passing games and added conference weekly honors. His junior year was canceled because of COVID-19, with Shepherd playing only one game before the season was halted.
Shepherd Breakthrough (2021–2022)
In 2021, Bagent led Division II in completions, attempts, yards, and touchdowns, becoming only the fourth Division II player to record a 5,000-yard, 50-touchdown season. Shepherd finished 10–1 in the regular season and reached the Division II Semifinals, where they lost to top-ranked Ferris State.
During his senior year in 2022, Bagent broke the all-divisions NCAA record for career passing touchdowns with 159, finishing the season as Shepherd’s all-time leader in nearly every passing category. He was also named a two-time First-team DII All-American and PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year across 2021 and 2022.
Chicago Bears Era (2023–Present)
After going undrafted in 2023, Bagent earned a spot on the Bears’ 53-man roster with a strong preseason. He made his NFL debut on October 15, 2023, against the Minnesota Vikings, then started four games from Weeks 7 to 10, going 2–2 as a starter while Justin Fields recovered from injury.
In 2024, Bagent served as the backup to rookie quarterback Caleb Williams with limited action on the field. On August 20, 2025, he signed a two-year, $10 million contract extension with the Bears, becoming the first quarterback extended by Chicago since Jay Cutler in 2014.
Notable Events and Milestones
On October 22, 2023, Bagent became the first Division II undrafted rookie quarterback to start an NFL game since 1950. His first NFL win came against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7, making him the first Bears quarterback to win in his debut start since Craig Krenzel in 2004. He later lined up at wide receiver during the 2025 season on a trick play dubbed “Baby Daddy” by head coach Ben Johnson.
Tyson Bagent Career Wins
Bagent’s verified NFL wins as a starter total two during the 2023 season, against the Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers. At Shepherd, he helped lead the Rams to multiple winning seasons, including a 10–1 regular season in 2021 and a trip to the Division II Semifinals.
Chicago Bears Highlights
Bagent earned his first NFL win in Week 7 of 2023 against the Raiders, completing 21 of 29 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown. He added a second win on Thursday Night Football against the Panthers, going 20 of 33 for 162 yards in a 16–13 victory.
Although he returned to a backup role in 2024 and 2025, his 2025 contract extension demonstrated the Bears’ long-term confidence in his development. He has remained a key piece of the quarterback room behind Caleb Williams.
Other Wins and Performances
At Shepherd, Bagent posted numerous signature performances, including a seven-touchdown game against West Virginia Wesleyan in 2018 and a five-touchdown game against Lock Haven in 2021. His career passing totals of 17,034 yards and 159 touchdowns placed him atop the Division II and NCAA record books.
Tyson Bagent Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tyson is the son of Travis Bagent, a world arm-wrestling champion who holds 17 titles and serves as Tyson’s close mentor. Tyson credits his father’s discipline and support as central to his athletic development.
Personal Life
Bagent welcomed a newborn daughter ahead of the 2025 NFL season, an event celebrated publicly by his head coach Ben Johnson. He remains connected to his West Virginia roots and frequently acknowledges his family’s role in his professional success.
2025 Season Performance
Bagent entered the 2025 season as the Bears’ primary backup quarterback behind rookie starter Caleb Williams. On August 20, 2025, he signed a two-year, $10 million contract extension, cementing his role within the organization and providing long-term stability for both him and his family.
During the 2025 campaign, Bagent saw limited regular action but contributed creatively when called upon. In a Week 9 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, he executed a double-pass play from the receiver position, catching a lateral from Williams and flipping it back for an 18-yard gain on a play dubbed “Baby Daddy” by head coach Ben Johnson.
He also appeared briefly at receiver in Week 11 against the Minnesota Vikings to occupy pass rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, showing his value as a versatile team player. As the Bears continue their season, Bagent remains a respected presence in the quarterback room with playoff-caliber momentum around the franchise.
