If Tyson Bagent Didn't Spark A QB Controversy Before, He Has Now

The Chicago Bears went into training camp with their top two spots at quarterback set. Justin Fields is the starter. P.J. Walker is his backup. Nobody could've predicted someone would come in and make the team question that decision. Nathan Peterman wasn't going to unseat Walker. The Bears saw enough of him last year to realize he is not somebody you want as a primary backup. That left undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent out of Shepherd. While his production in college was record-breaking, it's hard to get excited about a quarterback who made his name in Division II.

Things have begun to change over the past week. It started in the preseason opener against Tennessee. Bagent threw some nice passes, including a dart on 4th and 7 for a 1st down. Still, it wasn't enough to warrant conversations about the backup job. That changed on Saturday in Indianapolis. Trailing 7-0 in the 2nd quarter, Bagent took over at the Bears' 8-yard line. Seventeen plays later, the Bears scored a game-tying touchdown. The rookie accounted for 52 of those 92 yards through the air and capped the drive with a 2-yard scramble for the score.

Preseason or not, it was a surgical drive you'd expect from a 10-year veteran. Bagent finished the half an impressive 9-of-10 for 76 yards.

Tyson Bagent is not your run-of-the-mill undrafted QB.

He's got a solid arm with a compact delivery and consistent accuracy. He also does a good job of getting the ball out before pressure sets in. True, he has taken two unfortunate sacks, but most of the time, the defensive line can get to him. Even then, his surprising mobility has sometimes gotten him out of trouble. Buzz began around him at the Senior Bowl. Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy coached one of the teams down there. So he knew about the Shepherd star earlier than most.

The Bears made an impression on him, too, since he signed with them despite already being committed to Fields and Walker. That speaks to Bagent's self-confidence. He wasn't intimidated by the competition. He invited it. Now we're starting to see why. His calm and poise is not normal for a rookie, let alone an undrafted free agent. It is too early to know how much more Bagent can be as an NFL quarterback, but it's already obvious the Bears can't risk putting him on waivers.