The eve of Chicago Bears football has finally arrived! With the Bears scheduled to suit up for their first preseason game on Saturday against the Cleveland Browns, many fans are excited to welcome the Bears back to Soldier Field. Tyson Bagent gets the start with Ben Johnson confirming that Caleb Williams and many other starters not taking part.
With Bagent seated firmly behind Williams on the depth chart, these are the bigger opportunities for the 26 year old backup to showcase his skills. Of course Bagent always has opportunities to display his talents for his coaches, but special circumstances (normally injury) are required for Bagent to take the field with coach Johnson in the headset.
Tyson Bagent can begin following the path Malik Willis created
Malik Willis is currently set to take the starting quarterback job in Miami, but that wasn't always the case. Drafted out of the third round, Willis spent time with the Titans before settling into the backup job behind Jordan love in Green Bay. Through four years of his career, Willis has only collected 22 games played, and many of them he only recorded a few snaps. But he made them count.
Fast forward to Jordan Love going down to injury last season and Willis needed to step up to the plate. On a national stage, he showed the greater football world that he had what it took to not only hold down a starting job, but to perform well in high pressure situations. A few months later, Jeff Hafley, the former defensive coordinator of the Packers, becomes the head coach of the Dolphins. Shortly thereafter, Willis signs a big contract, and we'll see how the rest plays out.
Tyson Bagent has collected multiple trade inquiries over the last season. Ryan Poles has set a high price on him, believing Bagent to be among the best backup quarterbacks in the league. But this is the NFL, and every GM has their price.
If Bagent is able to go out there and show the NFL that he has the skills required to play the game at the highest level, one could certainly make the argument that his trade value could rise, and therefore, other teams would be willing to pay more for him.
Obviously a single start in the first preseason game of the year isn't exactly the "national stage", but after months of drought, millions of eyes will turn to all football possible. If Bagent is wise, he's going to go out there and play like his life depends on it, because it could mean the difference between him getting paid, and him getting PAID.
Bagent was the first Bears quarterback to be extended since Jay Cutler back in 2014. Though it's only a two year, $10 million contract, in the grand scheme of the NFL, that's not a lot. Malik Willis was fortunate enough to turn unfortunate circumstances to his advantage, and that's exactly the same blueprint that Bagent should be following. Maybe not in the face of a Williams injury, but he should be maximizing every opportunity that comes his way.
Every snap in the NFL brings new opportunities. Now, with the new season just over the horizon, and preseason games upon our doorstep, we can rejoice in the fact that football is back. Whether Bagent steps up and embraces those opportunities is the name of the game on Saturday. If he does, then Ryan Poles should be expecting far more phone calls at this season's trade deadline.
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