The Chicago Bears are preparing for the possibility that Tyson Bagent will start at quarterback in their upcoming Monday night game against the Philadelphia Eagles, though the team does not anticipate major adjustments to their offensive scheme. Head coach Ben Johnson emphasized that the overall system will remain intact, maintaining continuity for the supporting players around Bagent.
Bagent, who went undrafted but started four games for the Bears last season, compiled a 2-2 record during his rookie campaign. This offseason, the Bears demonstrated their confidence in his development by signing him to a contract extension. While Bagent is viewed as capable of managing the offense similarly to starting quarterback Caleb Williams, Johnson noted that Bagent does not possess the same level of mobility or ability to improvise on the run.
In relief duty against the Vikings, Bagent displayed poise, completing his first four passes during a late-game drive that advanced the Bears to the Vikings’ 12-yard line. However, the drive ultimately ended without a scoring opportunity as time expired. Bagent acknowledged the need for better execution near the goal line after the team ran out of downs. A hamstring injury sustained during the preseason limited Bagent’s training camp reps, but he returned strong for the final preseason game, completing 16 of 17 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns, including a 97-yard strike.
Defensively, the Bears delivered an improved performance in Sunday’s 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Chicago held the Vikings to just 246 total yards and limited them to a 3-for-13 conversion rate on third down. The Bears also restricted star receiver Justin Jefferson to 55 yards on three catches, marking the sixth straight game they have held him under 100 yards.
Despite these positives, the rushing defense allowed Aaron Jones to amass 105 yards on 23 carries, though only two runs exceeded 10 yards. The Bears failed to generate any takeaways for only the third time since Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen took over, a trend that has coincided with losses.
The Bears’ offense struggled with the running game, a sharp contrast to their dominant ground attack the previous week against Carolina. Except for quarterback Caleb Williams’ contributions, Chicago managed just 92 rushing yards among running backs. The Vikings defensive front utilized late shifts and multiple fronts, complicating the Bears’ attempts to establish traction on the ground. A critical moment came when running back D’Andre Swift fumbled at the 1-yard line, ending a promising drive that could have altered the game’s momentum.
Special teams also posed challenges. Rookie long snapper Beau Gardner’s snaps on two field goal attempts were notably high, contributing to a blocked 23-yard kick late in the game. This marked only the third time since 1998 that the Bears have had a field goal attempt under 30 yards blocked. Observers noted possible communication lapses on the kicking unit, as tight end Sam Roush and veteran Cole Kmet were late to engage defenders on the block. Gardner’s status remains uncertain moving forward, especially with the team’s previous long snapper no longer on the roster.
Coach Ben Johnson praised the defensive effort despite the loss, highlighting their ability to contain Minnesota and keep the game competitive. Meanwhile, Bagent remains focused and ready for his increased role if called upon to start, emphasizing steady preparation and confidence in his teammates and coaching staff. The Bears now look ahead to their next challenge against the Eagles as they seek to build on incremental improvements and address ongoing offensive and special teams issues.