From undrafted rookie to backup quarterback, Tyson Bagent was the most pleasant surprise when the Chicago Bears unveiled their initial 53-man roster.
Bagent’s magical preseason catapulted him into the QB2 role, where he beat out the likes of veterans P.J. Walker and Nathan Peterman, who were both part of roster cuts. That leaves Bagent as the only other quarterback on the roster behind starter Justin Fields.
But head coach Matt Eberflus stopped short of naming Bagent the backup quarterback just yet, explaining they’re going to let the roster work itself out.
“Just kinda letting the roster finalize itself,” Eberflus said. “We certainly feel great about where he is. He’s put his best foot forward, and we’re excited where we see him going in the future.”
Eberflus said they could look to add a veteran to the room, which could very well be Peterman signing to the practice squad. But, for all intents and purposes, Bagent appears set as QB2 heading into the regular season opener.
As for how an undrafted rookie out of Division II Shepherd was able to beat out a veteran, Eberflus credited Bagent for creating that competition, which he ultimately won.
“It was an open competition, and it was created,” Eberflus said. “It was created by the players. The players created that. Tyson really created that in practice, and he did it and created it in the games. What we saw from him was execution, poise, accuracy, and the ability to move the ball down the field. And again, he’s put his best foot forward.”
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