Has Tyson Bagent sparked a quarterback controversy alongside Justin Fields?
In an instant, Tyson Bagent has created quite a buzz in Chicago.
The undrafted rookie quarterback showcased his skills in the Bears' convincing 30-12 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Bagent effectively managed the offense, displaying accuracy, composure, and a knack for avoiding costly mistakes. This approach allowed the run game and the defense to shine, which seems to be the winning formula for the 2023 Bears, regardless of who is under center.
Bagent's stat line in the win was impressive, going 21-for-29 with 162 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Cole Kmet even described it as "pretty good quarterback play" following the victory.
However, this performance has sparked premature discussions of a potential quarterback controversy in Chicago.
Bagent is likely to earn another start when the Bears face the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium, with Justin Fields still recovering from a dislocated thumb and listed as "doubtful" for Sunday's game.
Is this an overreaction? Yes, it probably is.
At just 23 years old, Bagent has shown he can be a competent backup quarterback, but he has plenty of room for development. For the Bears to enter the 2024 season with both Fields and Bagent as their top quarterbacks, they would likely need to start winning consistently upon Fields' return.
With the Bears likely to have a high draft pick in 2024 and Fields nearing the end of his rookie contract, General Manager Ryan Poles will need a comprehensive evaluation of Fields by season's end. If injuries or other factors prevent a thorough evaluation or suggest that Fields isn't the long-term solution, the young quarterback could find himself playing elsewhere in 2024.
The Bears may consider passing on top quarterback prospects like C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young to give Fields another season to prove himself with improved support. However, if they pass on players like Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, they must be fully confident that Fields has franchise quarterback potential.
It's unlikely the Bears will pass on such prospects unless Fields demonstrates consistent growth for the remainder of the season, with flashes of his potential becoming the norm.
Additionally, resetting the quarterback contract clock aligns better with the team's rebuilding timeline than preparing to pay Fields a significant sum after the 2025 season.
Is it an overreaction? Yes, it is.
Let's clarify this: "The Bears' coaching staff tried something different with Tyson Bagent that they haven't attempted with Justin Fields." That's not accurate.
While Bagent's responsibilities were somewhat scaled back, this was expected as he was an undrafted rookie making his first start. However, the fundamental principles of the offense remained the same, with adjustments made to suit Bagent's skill set.
Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and quarterback coach Andrew Janocko emphasize quick decision-making, a fast progression through reads, and taking check-down options when necessary. Bagent executed the scheme in its simplest form, with fewer deep throws compared to Fields. The key difference lies in Bagent's ability to release the ball quickly, a trait that Fields needs to develop further.
Fields' tendency to hold onto the ball for too long, waiting for the big play, has been a concern. The Bears' offense faces difficulties when Fields delays decision-making, either due to fixation on progressions or a desire for deep passes.
While Bagent's play-calling was more conservative, it mirrored the staff's desired approach for Fields�quick, efficient decision-making. If Fields can consistently adopt this style while leveraging his arm's vertical threat, the Bears' offense could become dynamic.
In essence, the scheme's blueprint didn't differ significantly; the primary distinction lay in the timing of quick decisions and Bagent's innate sense of when to release the ball.
Is it an overreaction? No, it's not.
The Las Vegas Raiders, led by Jimmy Garoppolo, epitomize NFL mediocrity. Their offensive struggles were evident even with Brian Hoyer, and Josh McDaniels' coaching doesn't provide much help.
Is this victory a marquee win? Certainly not.
Nonetheless, it's important to acknowledge that the Bears have won just five games under Coach Matt Eberflus, so any win is significant. It's true that the Raiders' recent history includes losses to Jeff Saturday and Baker Mayfield, which indicates they can struggle against various opponents.
The key question is, what happens when the Chargers attempt to stifle the short passes and force Bagent to throw downfield? Only time will tell.
For now, it's a moment to savor the win, as they have been relatively scarce. Critiquing the quality of the victory is not the priority, but it's worth noting that the Raiders have faced their share of challenges in the NFL.
| POLL | ||
25 OCTOBRE | 20 ANSWERS Has Tyson Bagent sparked a quarterback controversy alongside Justin Fields? Who should be the QB for the rest of the season? | ||
| Justin Fields | 8 | 40 % |
| Tyson Bagent | 12 | 60 % |
| List of polls | ||
