The NFL free agency period is heating up, and one of the intriguing moves involves the Philadelphia Eagles snagging Andy Dalton from the Carolina Panthers. This trade has ripple effects, especially for the Chicago Bears, who might find themselves in a prime position to make a savvy quarterback move of their own.
Enter Tyson Bagent. The Bears' backup quarterback has been a topic of trade rumors this offseason, especially after Chicago re-signed the veteran Case Keenum. With Dalton now off the market, Bagent's trade potential just got a little more interesting.
Why would the Bears bring back a 38-year-old Keenum as a QB3? It seems unlikely that GM Ryan Poles would want to tie up nearly $11 million in backup quarterbacks without a strategic plan. The smart play here might be to capitalize on Bagent's value while the market is still hot.
Trading Bagent Before the NFL Draft: A Strategic Move
The Bears need to strike while the iron is hot and maximize Bagent's trade value. Settling for a seventh-round pick, like the Panthers did with Dalton, would be a missed opportunity.
Bagent is younger, has more potential upside, and is only slightly more expensive than Dalton. Chicago should aim to secure a better deal before the draft, where fresh talent is plentiful.
Bagent's track record offers plenty of selling points. His impressive stint with the Shepherd Rams in Division II translated well to the NFL, with notable preseason stats: 26-of-41 for 299 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in 2025. During his rookie season in 2023, he posted a solid 65.7% completion rate over four starts and five appearances.
The Bears should move quickly to find a trade partner. The market still has experienced quarterbacks like Joe Flacco, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Tyrod Taylor available, which could complicate things. However, Chicago can leverage Bagent’s potential and argue against the need for teams to sign older, more expensive veterans.
Will this strategy pan out? It's a gamble, but one worth taking after investing similarly in Keenum. If Poles has a clear plan for Bagent, now is the time to execute it.