On August 20, 2025, the Chicago Bears signed Tyson Bagent to a two-year, $10 million extension (up to $16M with incentives) that runs through the 2027 season. He was set to hit restricted free agency after 2025; this extension keeps him in Chicago beyond that timeline.
Why this deal is unusual for a QB2
NFL teams usually let No. 2 quarterbacks reach free agency or sign short one-year stopgaps. Extending a backup a year early is rare. A recent comp: Houston extended Davis Mills for one year, $5M ahead of his walk year in 2024—shorter and cheaper than Bagent’s pact—underscoring how aggressive Chicago’s move is.
The money context
At $5M per year (AAV), Tyson Bagent moves into the upper tier of backup QB contracts league-wide—closer to proven veterans than typical low-cost No. 2s. The structure includes playing-time incentives that could lift the total to $16M, signaling Chicago views him as high-end insurance behind Caleb Williams.
Why the Bears did it (in their own words)
This wasn’t just a cap maneuver; it was an endorsement. New head coach Ben Johnson called Tyson Bagent “capable of being a starter” and praised his command of the offense. GM Ryan Poles lauded his work ethic on the broadcast of Chicago’s preseason rout of Buffalo—and the club’s statement echoed that he’s a cultural cornerstone
What Bagent has shown lately
The timing followed Bagent’s strongest preseason outing: 13-of-22 for 196 yards and a TD in a 38–0 win over the Bills. Chicago also added veteran Case Keenum this offseason, but Bagent maintained his hold on QB2. That mix—recent performance plus trusted continuity—made the extension low-risk, high-certainty for the depth chart
Who Tyson Bagent is (quick history)
Before Chicago signed him as a UDFA in 2023, tyson bagent rewrote the Division II record book at Shepherd University: 17,034 career passing yards and 159 TD passes (an NCAA all-divisions TD mark at the time), and he won the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2021. In the NFL, he’s appeared in nine games (four starts in 2023) with a 66.2% completion rate.
What it means for Caleb Williams (and the window)
This move doesn’t change the Caleb Williams timeline. As a former No. 1 overall pick on a rookie deal, Williams won’t be eligible for an extension until after his third season ends (early 2027). The tyson bagent deal simply stabilizes QB2 through 2027 so Chicago isn’t held hostage by the backup market if Williams ever misses time.
Big-picture takeaway for Bears fans
Chicago just paid starter-level respect to its backup. In a league where one awkward landing can flip a season, locking in a trusted, scheme-savvy No. 2 at a known price is a strategic hedge—and a vote of confidence in tyson bagent as a potential spot-starter who can keep the offense on schedule. If he never needs to play, great. If he does, the Bears believe they’ve already paid for peace of mind.
Read More Obama endorses redrawing California congressional districts to counter Trump