If the Bears are entertaining thoughts about going with two quarterbacks on their roster rather than three, it comes down to a difficult choice.
They could be cutting their experience factor in Case Keenum, a player with 66 career starts and a playoff win. Or they could be cutting possibly the brains of the quarterback room and a potential starter at some point in Tyson Bagent.
Bagent has been impressive throughout training camp with his command of the offense and ability to deliver the ball in time to backups against the backup defenders. He's been good enough at picking up Ben Johnson's offense that even Keenum is marveling at it.
WHY IT'S STUCK UP FOR OZZY TRAPILO NOW AT BEARS CAMP
"I think Tyson's having a really, really good camp," Keenum said. "I think he's made a step forward from the spring. He's picking up this offense excellent. He is sharp. He is really, really smart."
Yep it’s Tyson Bagent szn baby pic.twitter.com/tbPARTeZFr
— Mossed your Mom (@Mossedyamom) August 2, 2025
How smart?
Game show smart.
"We try to stump the Schwab with him in there in the QB room," Keenum said, referring to the old ESPN game show. "Him and Austin (Reed) and Caleb, we try to stump each other and, man, we can't ever get him.
"He knows the playbook like the back of his hand. I've been very impressed with him. He's athletic, and haven't even really see him probably do what he's really, really good at in escaping rush, making plays outside the pocket. During practice, it's been a lot of within-the-pocket, within-the-timing of the play, making some really accurate plays down the field. I think he's gonna play a long time in this league."
The whole research staff at ESPN was great, but Howie Schwab was a walking sports stats & info encyclopedia as he just recalled almost any piece of information you asked him for. His show “Stump the Schwab” — hosted by Stu Scott — showcased that. #RIPHowie pic.twitter.com/oqRZiLyXI3
— Charles T (@ChuckyT3) April 20, 2024
It probably should surprise no one that Bagent is quickly becoming an expert on the Johnson offense. He's in his third season now and at this point he feels he understands he league.
"I feel like it's probably right on time too," he said. "I don't know how sharp I would have been in this offense in my rookie season. But I think with just the limited experience that I do have, and the limited amount of action and reps in practice through the years, it has helped me kind of be ready for the kind of boatload of information that's going on right now."
Tyson Bagent deserves starter reps pic.twitter.com/s6AyV1Duxi
— Black Kahuna (@LostHebrew_Dre) July 23, 2025
If Bagent likes the offense and how it's dispensed, he also feels he's developing a good relationship with Johnson.
"Just really for me, it’s simple," he said of his coach. "There’s no BSing going on right now. Which I’m not really much–I like to have as much fun as I possibly can outside of this building, but when I’m here, I’m pretty much full steam ahead, what are we going to do today, what are we going to accomplish, and looking at him.
Tyson Bagent is better than Caleb Williams.
— Leonardius Maximus IV (@leonardiusmax) July 25, 2025
"Whether it’s getting a play from him, talking to him between plays, he’s right there with me intensity-wise, which is all you can ask for from a head coach."
Taking that relationship and the way he's picking up the attack goes beyond vying for the backup job a step further to seeing him as a potential starter might be going too far. At least it would be for the Bears right now.
The Bears hope Caleb Williams takes every offensive snap this season. They've also got to plan for all eventualities, which makes the backup QB decision sneaky important.
— Scott Bair (@ScottBairNFL) August 2, 2025
A case for Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent as the No. 2: https://t.co/5GuHzxW4px
"I know it’s a backup job in this league," Bagent said. "It’s different than a lot of other jobs, sports jobs especially.
"So, for me, nothing really changes. Got to stay ready and stay on top of it, keep leaning forward, leaning into the guys and stay ready when your number is called."
First week of camp and a vocal section of Bears Twitter is already advocating for Tyson Bagent over Caleb Williams.
— Dave Kluge (@DaveKluge) July 25, 2025
We are so back.
The Bears have had only one quarterback since 2009 who played an entire season, so the odds are at some point Bagent or Keenum could wind up playing.
Then again, the quarterback who did play that one full season since 2009 was Williams as a rookie.
Tyson Bagent by week 8. Sorry everyone. The truth sometimes hurts. pic.twitter.com/cKHEte3joc
— BearsLimey34 (@BearsLimey34) July 26, 2025
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