What to know about ex-Division II star who could replace Justin Fields
Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields (dislocated right thumb) is doubtful to play Sunday against Las Vegas, which means rookie backup Tyson Bagent could get his first NFL start. Here are five things to know about the rookie:
1. Division II star
Bagent is an undrafted free agent out of Shepherd University, a Division II school in Shepherdstown, W.Va. Per Pro Football Reference, the program has only had six players (including Bagent) play in the NFL.
Bagent starred for the Rams from 2018-22, setting school records in passing yards (17,304), TD passes (171) and completions (1,400). In 2021, he became the first player in program history to win the Harlon Hill Trophy, given to the best player in Division II.
2. He's not the only athlete in the family
Bagent's father, Travis, played baseball for Shepherd and is a renowned arm wrestler. Dane Burgler of The Athletic reported he is a 28-time arm-wrestling world champion and claims he is among the greatest in his sport.
"It's like the Mount Rushmore of QBs with Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, and then you figure out the other two," he said, via Burgler. "In arm wrestling, I'm one of the first two guys on that Mount Rushmore. I'm happy and proud about that."
3. Interesting backup plan if he didn't make it to NFL
Bagent said he always believed his NFL dream would come true, but he did have a fallback plan.
"I was going to CrossFit my life away and get as ripped and jacked as I could and become a teacher at [his alma mater] Martinsburg [W.Va.] High School," he said Wednesday.
4. Scout likes his upside
Bagent might have more upside than the average backup. He has decent size (6-foot-3 and 213 pounds) and led the Bears on a nine-play, 77-yard TD drive in a 19-13 loss in Week 6 to the Minnesota Vikings. Scouts believe he's an intriguing developmental QB.
"He's got something to him," an NFC scout told NBC Sports Chicago. "He's got a live arm and processes very quickly. It will be a big jump from D-II to the NFL to find any level of success. But there's a lot to like."
5. Could join a shockingly long list of Bears starting QBs
Assuming Bagent starts Sunday against the Raiders, he will become the 29th QB to start for the franchise since 2000. Per CBS Sports, the Bears had nine starting QBs from 2013-22, tied for the fourth most in the league.
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