Caleb Williams injury puts spotlight on intriguing Bears backup Tyson Bagent
The Bears could be turning to their next man up.After QB1 Caleb Williams went down on the field with a non-contact hamstring injury during the fourth quarter against the Vikings, the vibes in Chicago immediately went sour on Sunday.Never mind the eventual 9-3 loss after scoring 59 points in Week 1.Despite the down week, the team will put more energy towards backup quarterback Tyson Bagent with Williams expected to miss “some time”, according to coach Ben Johnson — though The Ringer did report that he could even play Monday night against the Eagles in Week 3.Luckily for the Bears, the 26-year-old Bagent is well positioned to make the most out of this opportunity.Bagent joined the Bears as an undrafted free agent in May 2023 and went on to start four games that season after Justin Fields suffered a dislocated thumb.
He threw for 859 yards for three touchdowns and six interceptions with a completion rate of 65.7 percent across five total games as a rookie.The Bears went 2-3 in those contests.
Bagent then took the backseat again when the Bears drafted Williams with the No.1 overall pick in 2024.
However, Chicago prioritized keeping the quarterback and signed him to a $10 million extension in August 2025.While there is “optimisim” for Williams, the Bears could see this weekend if that investment will pay off.On Sunday, Bagent only had one full offensive drive in his hands and he nearly led the Bears to a comeback with only a minute to go in regulation.He couldn’t execute once inside the Minnesota 20-yard line and took a sack on the final play of the divisional matchup.He went 5-for-9 for 54 yards.“Last play, it got kind of hairy for me, but unacceptable on my end,” Bagent said after the game.
“Can’t take a sack on the last play.Gotta at least give somebody a chance.”Bagent said he is “ready to roll” and feels “great” about taking on the opportunity.
“I don’t think anything will change as far as my week goes, other than practice reps...