While the world gawks at Caleb Williams’ pre-draft concerns coming to light after coming to fruition, his teammate and fellow Chicago Bears quarterback, Tyson Bagent, offered comments that highlight just how far they may have come in just a few months.
Bagent appeared on “The ReKap” podcast with David Kaplan and Tyler Buterbaugh, and he expressed his excitement for the upcoming season under new head coach Ben Johnson.
Johnson’s arrival marked the end of a troubling trend for Williams and the Bears.
Tyson Bagent Details Critical Change Under Bears HC Ben Johnson
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Bagent was an undrafted free agent in 2023. He has gone through the same head coaching change that Williams has, and he has already seen the difference between how the offense is being conducted during the early going from his time. Bagent said they were “still getting into” the scheme.
He added that Johnson’s coaching staff has “been painting a very good picture” for the Bears. Johnson also noted the complexity of NFL offenses, but then highlighted a key to Johnson’s method.
“The biggest difference that I’m seeing right now is the mixture of Ben and everybody that he brought with him, and the way that they are teaching us what we are responsible for on every play, I think, has been the biggest difference. He puts a lot of the focus not necessarily on the defense, but what is our job on the play, and how perfect can we do that job each and every play?” Bagent told Kaplan and Buterbaugh in an interview published on May 15.
“Just very detail-oriented. Everything, all the dots connect. Everything makes sense. And he’s expecting and demanding, maybe not greatness, but for you to at least be striving or to look like you’re striving for that. So, … that’s the biggest takeaway from the difference in offenses the past three years.”
Bagent has become a master of mental reps as the Bears’ QB2 for most of his time with the organization.
Observation has been his best tool to remain engaged while not receiving even the reps he will in the offseason program and preseason during the regular season.
His is but one take. It still offers a potentially encouraging sign for the Bears. They need it in the wake of the firestorm around Williams not receiving off-field help from his coaches. Bagent also expects a “huge year” from the second-year QB due to all of the changes the team made on both sides of the ball this offseason.
Bears Have Touted Teachers Before
There is a significant caveat that must be attached to any optimism about this Bears team, though. Teaching hype is not a new thing in Halas Hall. Entering last season, former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s teachings were all the rage.
Former Bears quarterback Brett Rypien, now of the Minnesota Vikings, had previous familiarity with Waldron. Rypien spoke highly of him during training camp.
“Shane’s an unbelievable teacher and can really explain concepts well,” Rypien told Clocker Sports in August 2024. “Not only to the quarterback room, but as a whole, when he’s going through concepts in front of the offense. He really paints a picture really, really well for everybody to kind of know what the quarterback’s looking for, and then how that fits in with everyone else in terms of the timing and rhythm of the play. Yeah, I think he does a great job.”
As was recently confirmed, though, Waldron lacked control of the situation.
From in-game adjustments to the week of preparation before game days, Waldron fell short, and Williams and the Bears struggled. Again, Bagent’s account is just one player’s. It also comes at a period in which Johnson even said would determine very little about the 2025 season.
It is still notable from a player who has seen firsthand what Williams dealt with in the Bears’ QB room. Bagent’s next challenge could be fending off free agent signing Case Keenum in training camp.