Per Jason La Canfora, multiple teams called Chicago about Bagent back in February, and the Bears "brushed off" the talks before signing him to a new contract that runs through the 2027 season.
With Bagent now firmly behind Caleb Williams on the depth chart and the Bears also carrying veteran Case Keenum, the door to revisiting those conversations appears to be open again.
Career Built On One Unexpected Chance
Bagent, an undrafted product out of Division II Shepherd University, has carved out a real NFL role despite the long odds against him. He started four games as a rookie in 2023, completing 94 of 143 passes for 859 yards, three touchdowns, and six interceptions, while adding 109 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.
Since Chicago drafted Williams first overall in 2024, Bagent hasn't seen the field much, settling into a developmental role behind the Bears' franchise quarterback.
He Could Draw Interest Again
Bagent's situation does line up with a market where backup quarterbacks carry some legit value, particularly for teams looking for a low-cost, cap-friendly option who's already proven he can start and win NFL snaps in a pinch.
At a modest $4 million valuation, he is the kind of insurance policy several rosters around the league could use, especially with teams like San Francisco and Minnesota having already fielded QB-related trade calls of their own this offseason.
Chicago's stance so far has been to hold onto him, and there's no indication a deal is close. But La Canfora's reporting suggests the Bears could "restart and listen" if the right offer materializes, a pretty big shift from the flat rejection they gave teams back in February.
For now, Bagent remains Chicago's No. 3 option behind Williams and Keenum, giving the Bears rare quarterback depth heading into the season.
Whether that depth becomes a trade chip before the year is out likely depends on how desperate a quarterback-needy team gets, and how much Chicago decides a modest return is worth more than keeping a proven, well-liked backup in the building.
