In the days and weeks leading up to the NFL’s legal tampering period, Chicago Bears backup QB Tyson Bagent’s name suddenly popped up as a potential trade candidate. With the 2026 NFL draft class and the QB free agent market not being spectacular, it wasn’t surprising to see Bagent get some buzz.
However, the Bears just inked Bagent to a two-year, $10 million extension last summer, so they aren’t in a rush to move him. That said, Chicago made an interesting move with Case Keenum, which could bring those trade rumors back to the forefront.
On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Bears re-signed Keenum to a two-year, $5.5 million deal, with a max value of $8 million. On the surface, this is a sizable amount of money for a QB3. And for those who aren’t familiar with the role of a QB3, those guys are inactive on game day unless the starter is hurt, then they are elevated to the backup role.
The fact that the Bears gave a 38-year-old quarterback a two-year deal signals the possibility that Bagent could be on his way out of the Windy City.
Tyson Bagent Trade Rumors Could Re-Appear Following Case Keenum Signing
When the Bagent trade buzz first popped up last month, the Arizona Cardinals were reportedly connected to the Bears’ QB2. At the time, it made sense as the Cardinals hired a new head coach, Mike LaFleur, and were preparing to move on from veteran Kyler Murray.
However, things have significantly changed from mid-to-late February to the present day. Murray is not in Arizona anymore, but Jacoby Brissett still is. And not to mention, Arizona has reportedly signed Gardner Minshew to a one-year, $8.25 million deal, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
With Minshew in the fold, plus Brissett, the Cards don’t seem like a viable option for the Bears' backup quarterback.
Looking at the QB landscape from a big picture view, the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets could be browsing the market to see what’s available. The Steelers have Will Howard and Mason Rudolph under contract and are waiting to see what Aaron Rodgers does regarding retirement.
As for the Jets, they have Brady Cook and Justin Fields still under contract. However, it seems like Fields' days in New York are over, as it's only a matter of time before the Jets officially part ways with him after one forgetful season.
If that does happen, the Jets could be an option for Bagent, as he could start in 2026 and give New York something to think about when looking ahead to the 2027 QB draft class, which is projected to be better than 2026.
As we can see, the potential starting quarterback options for Bagent are limited. But with Keenum officially coming back for multiple years, teams will certainly inquire, and the Bears should be open to listening to see what value they could get back.