CHICAGO — Ryan Poles isn’t running a charity. If a desperate franchise wants to execute a Tyson Bagent trade this offseason, they need to pay the premium. The Chicago Bears officially set their asking price for the 25-year-old backup quarterback, and it demands serious draft capital.
According to Chicago Tribune insider Brad Biggs, the Bears want a second-round pick or a package of picks matching that exact value in exchange for Bagent.
Bagent carries massive league-wide appeal right now. He provides immediate stability and remains remarkably cheap. The quarterback is locked into a team-friendly two-year, $10 million extension he signed in 2025. He possesses the necessary experience to step onto the field and start, yet he remains young enough to develop into a long-term answer. Through his first three years in the league, Bagent has appeared in 12 games, completing 66.4% of his passes for 917 yards while adding two rushing scores.
The New York Jets represent the most logical landing spot. New York set $30 million on fire last offseason when they handed Justin Fields a massive guaranteed contract. That experiment crashed and burned fast. Fields found the bench after nine brutal starts in 2025. Now, the Jets need a reliable, budget-friendly option to overhaul their quarterback room. Bagent fits their exact criteria.
Other teams are actively circling the waters in Indianapolis at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. The Arizona Cardinals face intense uncertainty under center, while the Dolphins, Steelers, and Falcons continue making exploratory calls. But Chicago holds all the leverage.
“The Bears let it be known they’ll take calls on Bagent, whom [head coach Ben] Johnson holds in high regard. It probably would take a second-round pick (or two picks equaling that value) to make it worthwhile for the Bears. The New York Jets are in the market for a starter and could be looking to go the budget route after sinking $30 million guaranteed into Justin Fields.”— Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune Insider
Head coach Ben Johnson just led Chicago to its first playoff win since 2011. He built his 2025 success on relentless offensive execution and a rock-solid locker room culture. While starting quarterback Caleb Williams has never missed a game in his two-year NFL career, the league is unforgiving. One violent hit alters an entire season. Walking away from a trusted backup carries immense risk.
Trading Bagent leaves the Bears dangerously thin at the most vital position in sports. If Poles secures that second-round pick, expect Chicago to instantly sign a battle-tested veteran free agent. They are already meeting with agents for established No. 2 quarterbacks this week. The front office is loading the chamber for a massive move.
