The Chicago Bears will travel to New Orleans this weekend to face the Saints as rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent will make his third start of his NFL career. Bagent will look to rebuild after suffering his first loss as an NFL starter this past Sunday Night against the Los Angeles Chargers in a 30-13 final. One of the more complex aspects of the Bears' loss to the Chargers was fans and certain media members' joyful reaction to the undrafted quarterback's struggles and how it was a victory for injured starter Justin Fields, despite Fields having several similar performances, if not worse.
The Standards That Bagent Was Held To Are Completely Different From The Ones For Fields
In the 30-13 loss to the Chargers, Bagent completed 25 of 32 passes for 232 yards and two interceptions. Although his performance wasn't the best, the rookie wasn't a prominent reason for Chicago's 17-point loss, as the defense couldn't stop Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert, who passed for close to 300 yards and three touchdowns. However, if one were to listen to a good amount of fans and analysts following the game, it was almost as if Bagent was the root cause and had no business being the team's starting quarterback.
Fans and media members took to social media to not only find numerous ways to criticize Bagent's performance but also used it as evidence in defense of Fields because of praise given to the rookie quarterback by NBC during the game. Many people took issue with NBC's color commentator Chris Collinsworth's comments relating to Chicago's veteran starting quarterback being able to learn a few things from the rookie starter. Bagent has started two games during his rookie season, while Fields has started 31 games and is still given a pass when making the same mistakes repeatedly.
Despite Collinsworth's comments being a bit outlandish, there is some truth to what he said as Bagent, through two games, has excelled in certain areas that have been consistent issues with Fields. The rookie quarterback has been able to read and process what opposing defenses are doing, which has enabled him to get the ball out quicker. Additionally, Bagent has continually gone through his progressions and has had superb pocket presence, only being sacked twice in his two starts. Fields, on the other hand, has struggled to avoid pressure, being sacked 24 times through six games this season, and has constantly had issues getting the ball out in time and reading the field.
During the loss to the Chargers, Chicago fans quickly pointed out the number of times Bagent was nearly picked and were highly critical of his two interceptions. When breaking down the two passes taken away by Los Angeles' defense, one takeaway occurred when Chicago's rookie quarterback targeted wide receiver D.J. Moore on an option route where Moore kept running while the throw was towards a spot on the sideline. The other interception wasn't Bagent's fault as the pass hit wide receiver Darnell Mooney in the chest but was jarred loose by a defender, hitting Mooney as he caught the ball, forcing it into the air, allowing another defender to catch the ball.
The one legitimate concern regarding Bagent's play is his arm strength and accuracy when throwing deep. There was a noticeable difference in accuracy when the rookie quarterback attempted passes 15 yards or shorter compared to 15 yards or longer. Sunday's game against the Chargers was the first time all year, including Chicago's three preseason games, where the offense had Bagent attempt numerous deep throws downfield. Although Fields has elite arm strength, but has missed wide-open targets downfield due to indecisiveness, resulting in him holding onto the ball too long.
A significant piece of evidence demonstrating bias and hypocrisy involving Fields and Bagent is the dropped 40-yard touchdown pass by wide receiver Velus Jones against the Chargers. Bears fans took to social media to blame the rookie quarterback for Jones' drop, stating that the reason why the pass-catcher fell and couldn't catch the ball after it hit him while he was on the ground was because it was a severely underthrown ball. However, last year against the Dallas Cowboys, the rookie receiver dropped what would have been a 45-yard pass from Fields, leading fans and the media to be highly critical of the wide receiver and not the quarterback.
There Is No Need To Compare And Favor Fields Over Bagent
What makes the favoritism of Fields over Bagent troubling is that the two quarterbacks are different and seem destined for different paths in the NFL. The undrafted rookie is building a good resume that can enable him to be a long-term backup quarterback or a bridge starter for a rookie prospect. Fields is playing to remain a starter in the league and is fighting for a lucrative long-term contract once his rookie contract expires next season. Fans should not need to insist on defending or protecting a former first-round draft selection from an elite college program from a Division II undrafted free agent.
Bagent's success this season also provides the Bears with added insurance if the team determines to move on from Fields following the 2023 season. If Chicago ends up with a top-two selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, they will likely take one of the two quarterback prospects who are viewed as a franchise-changing talent. If Bagent finishes his time as a starter on a high note, it will allow the Bears to save on spending money and bring in a free-agent veteran quarterback to serve as a bridge, enabling the rookie prospect to sit and learn.
Through two starts, Bagent has played better than expected and hasn't looked overwhelmed by the moment, even when starting a primetime nationally televised game. For fans to cheer a below-average performance as a way to defend Fields, who has recorded two starts in the past eight games with 100 yards or less, is extremely troubling. Chicago fans and media members have clamored and yearned for an elite-level quarterback talent, but to pick and choose who to root for between two quarterbacks who show potential in their own respective way serves no purpose.
