The Bears are giving Tyson Bagent the spotlight in their preseason opener, and he’s set for an extended look. With the growing belief that Caleb Williams may not play in the preseason at all, Bagent has a real chance to put his name out there as a quarterback who could handle a starting job in the right situation. If Chicago eventually views him as a trade piece, the timing could make sense either for the 2026 season or the year after.
Bagent doesn’t have Williams’ physical tools, but his development under Ben Johnson has at least opened the door to the idea that he could start for the right team. That makes this preseason run worth watching, especially for clubs that could be circling for quarterback help.
The Atlanta Falcons are one of them. They’re already dealing with Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. being injured, and both players come with their own questions about whether they can truly be franchise answers.
Atlanta has enough talent on the roster to stay out of the top-pick range, which means it may not have an easy path to a quarterback upgrade. That’s why Bagent could become a name to keep in mind, whether it’s in a future offseason or as a fix if injuries keep piling up.
If he puts together a strong preseason, Atlanta looks like the most likely landing spot.
The New York Jets also belong in the conversation. They’ve spent two underwhelming seasons with Aaron Rodgers and then last year with Justin Fields, and the search for a real solution at quarterback is still very much alive.
Geno Smith is back with the franchise and will get another shot as the starter, even after how underwhelming things were a season ago. New York has to be on the list anytime there’s a possible starting quarterback available, and a strong showing from Bagent would at least force the issue.
Smith is an aging option coming off a rough year, which makes him feel like a short-term answer at best.
Then there’s Arizona. The Cardinals have Gardener Minshew, Jacoby Brissett, and Carson Beck lined up as their 2026 starting options, and none of those names exactly sparks confidence.
That alone gives Arizona a reason to watch Bagent closely if he shows he can make a case for himself in the preseason. The Cardinals do have an impressive group of playmakers, and Bagent could be a quarterback who benefits from that if he takes the next step.
In Other News...
Caleb Williams Drew Backlash Over A Dog Post Bears Fans Noticed
Caleb Williams has built a public image around being a dog lover, and he has talked before about owning multiple pets. So when the Bears quarterback shared a photo online of a Doberman, it was the kind of post that usually draws a simple wave of affection from fans. Instead, it quickly turned into something more complicated, with the image prompting discussion beyond the usual offseason social-media chatter.
The reaction centered on how the dog appeared in the photo, with animal advocates and some Bears fans taking issue with what they saw as an unnecessary and harmful practice. What might have been a harmless post about a newly adopted pet instead became a broader conversation about how public figures present their animals and the standards they set while doing it. [Read more 🡒]
Tyson Bagent Gives Bears Fans An Early Look They Will Want
Ben Johnson is giving Bears fans an early preseason glimpse at a quarterback they already know well. Tyson Bagent will start against the Browns with Caleb Williams and some other starters sitting out, putting the backup back in a familiar spot where he can show the steady play that caught Chicagos attention in the first place.
Bagent has already made the most of limited chances during the 2023 season, and the Bears showed what they thought of him by extending his contract later that year. The preseason opener gives him another opportunity to reinforce that confidence, while also offering a first look at how Johnson wants the position handled when the games begin to count. [Read more 🡒]