Tyson Bagent on his capabilities: “I’ve got a cannon” |
CHICAGO - Never let other people tell you what you can and cannot do. That is definitely a lesson that can be taken away from the journey of undrafted rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent out of Division II Shepherd. Not only did he make his first NFL start, he got his first win in the NFL and his first game ball. As you can imagine, he was a bit nervous coming into this game, but his cool demeanor soon took over.
“I feel like I settled in after the first snap,” Bagent said. “But really, I feel like I feel really nervous the whole week until we get on the field for pregame, and then it usually goes away. But just like any week, there was a little nerves.” Bagent was stepping in for an injured Justin Fields, who dislocated his thumb against the Minnesota Vikings last week. However, that does not mean that Fields did not play an active role in this game. In fact, Bagent, Fields, and Nathan Peterman, both supported him throughout the week and the game and were highly important in Bagent having a good game today. “I couldn’t really ask much more from him and the QB room as a whole. I think Justin and Nate, when I talk about people that rally behind me, have my back and help me throughout the week with different things to look at, just with the amount of experience that they have,” Bagent said. “Justin and Nate were pivotal in how we were able to execute today and the way I played today on the field.” Peterman actually got a little playing action too. At the end of the half, with two seconds left in the game and 54 yards away from the endzone, he came in for a hail-mary attempt. However, he would end up fumbling the ball, although the fumble went out of bounds to end the half. There was some question on why Peterman came in for this play, especially because Bagent believes he would have been able to get the ball to the endzone. “I’ve got a cannon. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t,” Bagent said. “I like to think that I have an extremely strong arm, and the ball most definitely would have gotten there. But, it would be so with Nate too. So, I have no problem there.” One thing that certainly helps a young quarterback is when the running game can get going. For the fourth game in a row, the Bears offense was able to have more than 160 rushing yards, led by D’Onta Foreman, who had 89 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, as well as a receiving touchdown. Foreman’s performance was key for the Bears to win this game. “I thought D’onta played out of his mind today. I thought he played extremely well, kind of, a little glimpse of some things he was able to last year,” Bagent said. “I know he’s itching to get out there and have a good game because, like he told us in the locker room, a lot of watching for him this season so far. So, it was only a matter of time before he was able to break out and have a good day like today.” Foreman was the third running back in line and finally got the chance to be the primary running back because Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson were unavailable for the second week in a row. Since Herbert is on injured reserve (IR), he will miss at least the next two games while Johnson is still in concussion protocol. Foreman was a starter over half the season last year with the Carolina Panthers and had a similar game with three total touchdowns. The depth the Bears were able to create at the running back position in the offseason has certainly paid off. In all likelihood, Bagent will be the starter next week against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football as well (7:20 p.m/NBC). Perhaps the Bears can get a two-game winning streak for the first time since weeks 15 and 16 back in the 2021 season when Matt Nagy was still the head coach.
