Losing Justin Fields is tough for the Chicago Bears. That is the case almost any time you lose your starting quarterback. It isn't clear how long he will be out with a dislocated thumb. There is a hope he might be able to return next week in Los Angeles. However, another report from CBS Sports suggests he's likely out multiple weeks. While one must feel bad for Fields, knowing his job security is in grave danger, it appears the Bears aren't panicking. If anything, there is an air of excitement in the locker room. That is because they get to see Tyson Bagent.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN checked in on the team's situation. There is no resignation in the building. From what he's hearing, Bagent has a lot of fans in the locker room. They love his confidence and his natural intelligence for the quarterback position. At the very least, they think he has the potential to be a long-term backup. Sunday will give them a golden opportunity to evaluate him against top competition. Las Vegas boasts the #8 pass defense in the league. It is a perfect test for his first start.
"The Bears are hoping Bagent can shock some people Sunday vs. the Raiders with Justin Fields not playing. As one person with the team told me, Bagent -- an undrafted quarterback out of Division II Shepherd -- is the kind of heady player who could stick in the NFL for a long time, most likely as a backup. "He really came in and battled his tail off [last week]," the person said. He proved to be a fast learner in the preseason, and he knows the full offense. So while this could be an adventure, the Bears do seem to trust him."
Tyson Bagent knows he has nothing to lose.
The season isn't riding on this game. Chicago is 1-5. Winning doesn't put them into the playoff chase. Losing doesn't kill their season any further than it already has been. There is no pressure. All he has to do is go out there and play the best football he possibly can. People love to dismiss him because he's a Division II quarterback. Yes, it's true most DII players never do anything in the NFL. However, most of them aren't Bagent. He is the most prolific passer ever at that level. He's 6'3, mobile, and has a strong enough arm to make most of the necessary throws.
His big question is whether he can handle the NFL's speed. Guys play way faster at this level than in Division II. Most quarterbacks from smaller schools can't handle it. The sample size is small, but there is some evidence Tyson Bagent isn't overwhelmed by it. His goal is to protect the football better and get his footwork under control. A full week of snaps in practice should help get him more comfortable than coming in cold off the bench. It will probably be a roller coaster, but this should be an educational Sunday.
