With Bears starting quarterback Justin Fields still sidelined with a right thumb injury, it was undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent making his second NFL start.
Bagent was asked to do more in his second start, where he didn’t have the benefit of a productive run game and solid offensive line play. Bagent completed 25-of-37 passes for 232 yards with zero touchdowns, two interceptions and one fumble.
While Bagent wasn’t as efficient as his first start, he has gone 1-1 in Fields’ absence, and Chicago looks to have a solid backup quarterback for the foreseeable future.
Former Bears edge rusher Khalil Mack — who credited Bagent for his outing — counted his team lucky that they didn’t have to face Fields instead.
“You could tell the clock in his head was running today,” Mack said of Bagent, via The Athletic. “He was getting the ball out pretty quick. He did some good things for them down the stretch. I know he’s going to be a special player, but I’m glad No. 1 wasn’t out there tonight.”
While Mack only played with Fields for one season in 2021, he’s seen firsthand what Fields brings to the table as an overall athlete — and how that can cause fits for a defense.
Fields has missed the past two games after suffering a dislocated right thumb in a Week 6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Fields was spotted on the sideline during Sunday night’s game wearing a brace on his right thumb.
The hope is Fields will return soon — perhaps as early as Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints — as the team opted not to place him on injured reserve. It will ultimately come down to grip strength with Fields, and it’s a storyline worth monitoring heading into this week.