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QB Tyson Bagent of the Chicago Bears.
Chicago Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent has quietly become one of the more interesting names on the trade market as the offseason approaches.
At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, both general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson confirmed that multiple teams have checked in about Bagent’s availability.
It’s easy to understand why some teams are making calls about the 25-year-old backup. He’s very affordable, currently under contract through 2027 on a team-friendly two-year extension signed in 2025, a deal worth roughly $10 million with incentives. For quarterback-needy teams, he’s experienced enough to step in and start, but also still young enough to grow and get better.
While league insiders have speculated about what Bagent’s trade value is, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, a longtime Bears insider very close to the team, recently shared his knowledge on the subject.
Brad Biggs Reveals Chicago Bears’ Asking Price in a Potential Trade for QB Tyson Bagent
GettyWhat’s the Chicago Bears asking price in a potential trade for QB Tyson Bagent?
“The Bears let it be known they’ll take calls on Bagent, whom Johnson holds in high regard,” Biggs wrote on February 27, adding:
“It probably would take a second-round pick (or two picks equaling that value) to make it worthwhile for the Bears. The New York Jets are in the market for a starter and could be looking to go the budget route after sinking $30 million guaranteed into Justin Fields. I’m not sure a team would offer a Round 2 pick for Bagent. It’s worth noting the Bears have had meetings with agents representing some No. 2-type quarterbacks, so they’re putting contingency plans in place.”
Through the end of the 2025 season, Bagent has appeared in 12 regular season games with four starts, all of which he made in 2023. He completed 66.4% of his passes, for 917 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions, with a passer rating around 73.0. He also has 109 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.
Biggs noting that the Bears have already met with the agents of some established backups doesn’t mean a trade is going to happen — it just means the team is considering it.
Why Bagent Could Stick Around in Chicago
Here’s the thing: Bagent is the Bears’ best option at QB behind starter Caleb Williams, and the Bears are clearly trying to build sustained stability. They just won their first playoff game since 2011, and they’re looking to win a Super Bowl over the next few seasons.
Williams has been incredibly durable so far in his two-year NFL career, never missing a game. That could change, though, and having a legit backup the team believes in is hugely important. Right now, for Chicago, Bagent is that guy.
That’s not to say he won’t get traded.
The Arizona Cardinals, particularly given the ongoing uncertainty around their long-term quarterback direction, could make a push. As Biggs noted, the Jets also make sense. Teams like the Dolphins, Steelers and Falcons could also be interested in Bagent’s services.
Ultimately, this situation comes down to whether a quarterback-needy team decides Bagent is more than a backup, and gives the Bears the draft capital they seek. It’s clear Chicago loves Bagent, so it’s going to take an impressive offer to pry him away.
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