The Chicago Bears have gone through two practices in this year’s training camp, and the best quarterback on the field has arguably been Tyson Bagent.
Some might take that with a grain of salt, but it is far from an inconsequential development.
Bears QB Tyson Bagent Looking the Part to Start Training Camp
Bears QB Battle Rolling Early in Training Camp
Bagent was an undrafted free agent in 2023, and he is the longest-tenured quarterback in the Bears’ room. However, he is planted behind starter Caleb Williams and battling offseason free agent pickup Case Keenum for the QB2 job.
So far, so good.
Bagent operated in the role on Thursday, which is notable after he worked behind Keenum on Wednesday.
He was accurate and has continued to be on the passing end of some of the top catches so far, including another to undrafted free agent JP Richardson, who made the cradling grab along the right sideline while falling to the ground.
Keenum has hyped Bagent before, and the youngster is making the veteran look wise.
If the Bears have their way, Bagent (or Keenum or fellow backup Austin Reed) will not see the field during the regular season. For now, it is key for Bagent to maximize his reps, and he has.
Veteran Taking Advantage of Rookie’s Absence
Bears head coach Ben Johnson announced that rookie second-round pick and wide receiver Luther Burden III would miss more time with a soft-tissue injury that has kept him out since Day 3 of rookie minicamp in May.
In his absence, veteran free agent pickup Olamide Zaccheaus has continued to look the part as a reliable slot option.
The longer the situation remains as it is, the more ingrained Zaccheaus will be.
That is not to suggest that Burden will not have a big role in the offense once he gets back on the field. It is, however, to suggest that the breakout could be delayed while the No. 39 overall selection of the 2025 NFL Draft catches up to the group.
Bears Coaching Staff has ‘Aura’
Johnson addressed his headline-grabbing decision to pull the first-team offense early in Wednesday’s practice, noting how important it is that they do their job right, and now before they start playing games.
However, one of the most notable sentiments that emerged after a much quieter session on Thursday was just how much that mindset was needed.
Both D’Andre Swift and Kevin Byard both spoke to that point.
Moreover, Swift noted that Johnson has been the same way since he was an offensive coordinator. It makes sense, then, that the first-time head coach is displaying it more now that he is in the big chair.
Byard called it “aura,” borrowing a phrase from his younger teammates. He also said that defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has it.
It was Allen who had players do up-downs in their first practice.
Byard said Allen called it a “toll” that everyone must pay as part of their “initiation.” The up-downs are over once completed. Regardless, this coaching staff has already made a strong impression on the players who were here before their arrival.