NFL: Chicago Bears Minicamp Jun 5, 2024; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) smiles during the team’s minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Arm strength is still an issue for Chicago Bears QB: Report

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated May 28, 2025 6:38 PM ET

Last week, Tyson Bagent had the best throw during practice that was open to beat reporters covering the Chicago Bears . On Wednesday, Bagent’s job as QB2 appeared under threat from veteran backup Case Keenum.

Per Clay Harbor, Keenum received all of the second-team reps during practice.

Bagent flubbed one opportunity to impress head coach Ben Johnson’s coaching staff.

Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent’s arm strength is questioned

Per Mark Carman of CHGO Bears, Bagent badly underthrew third-year wide receiver Tyler Scott on a deep ball.

“I think I was like, basically (at) the 50-yard line today, and they’re snapping at about the 20 to 30, and Tyler Scott just burst by me right down the right sideline, and he is wide open,” Carman said. “And Bagent, it’s one of the Bagent reps. I’m like, ‘Oh, this is it. This is a time for him to show the arm strength. This is the moment he’s gonna, he’s gonna hit my guy, Tyler Scott, and everything’s gonna come perfect arm right now.’

“And Bagent waited, and then he waited a little bit more, and then he threw it, and it was miserably underthrown. And Bagent slumped afterwards. He knew he had missed it. And I slumped too. And everybody else, it was just, it was a blow of a moment where there was a great opportunity for my guy to shine.”

A ton to get to. Caleb Williams press conference, Ben Johnson firing away, likeable Case Keenum. Come on in for this special 4 PM live show. @AdamHoge and @thecarm https://t.co/Ork1vcEfrm

— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) May 28, 2025

Arm strength was an issue for Bagent as a rookie in 2023. He didn’t have a chance to show off his arm during the regular season in 2024 to see if he had improved in that area. It doesn’t appear like Bagent has fixed the noodle arm completely, even if he has the confidence in himself to wait and make a longer heave.

NFL: Cincinnati Bengals at Chicago Bears Aug 17, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) celebrates his touchdown pass and catch by wide receiver Dante Pettis (81) against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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