Tyson Bagent fires off a pass against the Dolphins in the first half of the preseason opener. David Banks-Imagn Images

What analytics say about fast start by Chicago Bears backup QBs

Originally posted on Chicago Bears on SI
By Gene Chamberlain | Last updated Aug 12, 2025 4:28 PM ET

While Caleb Williams has yet to step into a game, the Bears did see three other quarterbacks Sunday, and two have much at stake.

Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent played well overall, although Bagent’s first two series when the Bears backup offense faced most of Miami starters went nowhere.

Comparing what the two did in the game is a difficult matter as they both attempt to secure the backup quarterback role behind Williams. The reason for this is the change in talent levels faced.

Keenum played against more players from the bottom of the roster than Bagent.

Preseason Week 1 QB Scores!

Man does it feel good to be back to grading. Finally got my hands on some (janky) All 22 from yesterday.

Case Keenum looked as good on All 22 as he did live, throwing just 1 true incompletion, this throw on 4th down being graded as a drop as the WR… pic.twitter.com/bIGJp8HxJj
— Grim Monangai (@iamcogs) August 12, 2025

If you’re looking to call a leader going into Week 2, Keenum might get the edge based on the criteria Ben Johnson himself put forth. That would be the analytic expected points added.

Yards per attempt is a vital part of this and Keenum put up a gawdy 8.0 yards per attempt. Bagent’s yards per attempt was only 5.4. This is typical of a quarterback facing a much stronger opponent, and the Bears backup offense was. But after the first few series they were playing opponents on their level and while they were better it still wasn’t sufficient for bigger numbers.

Texans legend Case Keenum is balling today pic.twitter.com/ZvQAsg2omX
— big ounce (@_bigounce) August 10, 2025

Keenum not only had the far better yards per attempt but also a much better adjusted completion percentage of 90%, according to Pro Football Focus. Bagent’s was at 77.8%.

All of the Bears quarterbacks combined came away with an 80.8 PFF grade. That number doesn’t mean much by itself to anyone unfamiliar with PFF, but the fact it was tied for the best by any team’s group of quarterbacks in the NFL for Week 1 of preseason doesn't say something negative.

Idk who needs to hear this, but Case Keenum 100% should be QB2 over Tyson Bagent.
— Jaybills Games ⬇️ (@JaybillsGames) August 11, 2025

Don’t get carried away with it, though.

Last year Bears quarterbacks had the best PFF grade in the league for preseason passing and how did that translate to the regular season?

The way part of this #Bears fanbase critiques every single thing Caleb Williams does yet gushes over Tyson Bagent never fails to amuse me
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) August 12, 2025

This article first appeared on Chicago Bears on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: