Tyson Bagent's Rise Started With A Dangerous Gamble In Rookie Minicamps

When the preseason started two weeks ago, not a single Chicago Bears fan expected anything from Tyson Bagent. If they said otherwise, they were lying. He was a fourth-string quarterback that came in as an undrafted free agent. Guys like that almost always end up on the practice squad or playing in the USFL. Bagent drew some attention in the opener against Tennessee, making some nice throws, including a long completion on 4th and 7. It wasn't much, but it got people talking.

Then last Saturday happened. Halfway through the 2nd quarterback, Bagent replaced P.J. Walker on offense. It wasn't a great situation. Chicago was backed up to their 8-yard line. Most rookies would've maybe gotten a first down or two and punted. Bagent calmly engineered a 17-play drive that took up most of the remaining clock, capping it with a 2-yard touchdown run himself. He completed all but one of his eight passes on the march.

Former NFL quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan reviewed the tape of the drive on The QB School. He was immediately surprised at how advanced Bagent's process was. His poise in the pocket, eye recognition, and footwork were near perfect. It turns out this wasn't an accident. Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Chicago revealed this was the culmination of a calculated risk the rookie took in May.

Tyson Bagent recognized the big picture.

Most rookies would've focused on making a positive impression in minicamps. That means completing as many passes as possible. Look sharp. Bagent understood this wasn't going to get him anywhere. His best chance to impress Luke Getsy and the coaching staff was mastering the complicated footwork and other fundamentals required in a wide-zone offense. He gambled that by sacrificing the ability to make a strong first impression, he would be ready to showcase a polished process when he got into actual games.

He was correct. Tyson Bagent has looked the most ready of the four quarterbacks that have played in this preseason. That sounds crazy to say, but it's true. His drop-backs are clean. He takes bootlegs at the proper depth and always keeps his body square. The arm action is also tight and efficient. Now, here he sits. One preseason game remains. Head coach Matt Eberflus has made it clear the #2 quarterback job is wide open. If Bagent has one more strong performance, he could become the first undrafted rookie to claim that spot in decades for the Bears.