Bears QB Bagent calls extension a ‘gift’

The Chicago Bears became one of the few franchises in the NFL to extend their backup quarterback when they agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal with Tyson Bagent.

The 25-year-old quarterback started four games for the Bears in 2023 and appeared in four games last season. Bagent was set to enter the final year of his contract this season and this extension will keep him with the Bears through 2027.

The former Shepherd University star was emotional talking about what it meant to sign this deal.

‘A lot of people don’t know this but my dad, he is my right hand man and he didn’t have running water until he was in high school,’ Bagent told media after signing his deal. ‘So there’s definitely a lot of things and people that I think I could certainly help with this gift I’ve been blessed with.

‘Little things like that, I don’t really know anybody back home with any money. It feels good, it’s certainly a weight off my shoulders and my family’s shoulders. It definitely means a lot.’

The West Virginia native earned the Harlon Hill Trophy, Division II college football’s equivalent of the Heisman Trophy, in 2021 at Shepherd. He set Division II records for career passing yards with 17,034 and touchdown passes with 159.

He’s played well in the preseason for the Bears this year, especially in Chicago’s win over Buffalo. Bagent completed 13 of 22 passes for 196 yards and touchdown.

This deal makes him the seventh-highest paid backup quarterback by average annual value (AAV) in the NFL. Only Anthony Richardson Sr., Marcus Mariota, Jacoby Brissett, Zach Wilson, Jarrett Stidham, and Tyrod Taylor rank ahead of him.

Bagent will likely be back in action for the Bears’ preseason finale on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday, Aug. 22.