A Division II record-setter out of Shepherd who parlayed an undrafted signing into a multi-year deal as Chicago's backup quarterback.
Tyson Bagent's story is one of the more unlikely in the league: an undrafted passer from tiny Shepherd University who rewrote the Division II record book before landing with the Bears. He has since become Chicago's steady No. 2 behind Caleb Williams, earning a contract extension that reflects the organization's trust in him.
Path to the league
Bagent started five seasons at Shepherd, breaking the Division II career records for completions (1,400) and passing yards (17,034) and setting the NCAA record for career passing touchdowns with 159, including a 53-touchdown season in 2021. He went undrafted in 2023 and signed with the Chicago Bears, making the roster as a rookie.
Career highlights
Bagent has spent his career as the Bears' primary backup quarterback, seeing spot action behind the starter while developing in Chicago's system. His steady preseason and practice performances have kept him ahead of other camp competitors for the backup job year after year.
2025 season recap
The Bears signed Bagent to a two-year, $10 million extension before the 2025 season, cementing him as the top option behind starter Caleb Williams. He was CBS Sports' 10th-ranked backup quarterback in the league entering the year and shined in the preseason, completing 20 of 28 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns against Kansas City, including a late game-winner.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Tyson Bagent
- Pro Football Reference: Tyson Bagent
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Passing
3 games played▶Passing · career
| Year | Team | GP | CMP | ATT | YDS | TD | INT | RTG | QBR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | bears | 3 | 42 | 64 | 409 | 0 | 3 | 63.9 | 43.5 |
| 2025 | bears | 3 | 3 | 4 | 47 | 0 | 0 | 113.5 | 11.4 |
| 2024 | bears | 4 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 89.6 | 47.6 |
| 2023 | bears | 5 | 94 | 143 | 859 | 3 | 6 | 71.4 | 52.6 |
▶Rushing · career
| Year | Team | GP | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | bears | 3 | 7 | 18 | 2.6 | 0 | 7 |
| 2025 | bears | 3 | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 0 | 7 |
| 2024 | bears | 4 | 6 | -7 | -1.2 | 0 | -1 |
| 2023 | bears | 5 | 23 | 109 | 4.7 | 2 | 20 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Quarterback
- Group
- offense
- College
- Shepherd
- Hometown
- Martinsburg, WV, USA
- Age
- 26
- Status
- active
Latest news about Tyson Bagent
All news →AI Predicts Every Week 6 Game of the 2026 NFL Season
After an 8-of-15 Week 5 in which the coin-flip picks went 1 for 6, the model picks all 14 Week 6 games, from Seahawks-Broncos on Thursday to Commanders-49ers on Monday night, with the Chiefs the widest lean.
Packers Rout Bears 31-7 in Week 5
Green Bay Packers 31, Chicago Bears 7 at Lambeau Field. Jordan Love went 25 of 31 for 367 yards with 2 touchdowns.
AI Predicts Every Week 5 Game of the 2026 NFL Season
After an 11-of-16 Week 4, the model picks all 15 Week 5 games, from Thursday's Buccaneers-Cowboys to Bills-Rams on Monday night, with 49ers-Seahawks and Ravens-Falcons the closest calls.
Bears Beat Jets 23-12 in Week 4
Chicago Bears 23, New York Jets 12 at Soldier Field. Tyson Bagent went 25 of 34 for 268 yards with 1 interception.
Minkah Fitzpatrick's Interception Ends Jets' 21-Game Drought in Loss at Chicago
Update: Fitzpatrick intercepted Tyson Bagent in the second quarter at Chicago, ending a drought that had reached 21 games, 643 pass attempts and 638 days. The Jets still lost 23-12.
AI Predicts Every Week 4 Game of the 2026 NFL Season
Week 3 went 10 of 16, but the high-confidence picks split 3-3, so the model is more cautious this week: four High picks instead of six, led by Buffalo over New England, with Chiefs at Raiders the game of the week.
