RECAP: Secret Bagent Man Leads Bears to Victory Over Las Vegas Raiders
Going into this matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, like many fans, I was intrigued for one single reason – Tyson Bagent.
A battle between two backups with completely different backgrounds, Brian Hoyer being a 15-year NFL veteran, and Tyson Bagent, who couldn’t be more of a wildcard.
Since Bagent’s pre-season debut, there has been a crowd within the Bears fan base calling for Bagent to get a chance to start over Justin Fields.
I never entertained those debates because I feel that those conversations don’t have any merit. Realistically, Justin Fields is more talented and has more potential, and if you had to bet on which quarterback was to have a more successful career, you’d choose Justin Fields. Even after yesterday’s game, I still believe this to be true, but talent and potential can only get you so far.
What jumps out about Tyson Bagent is his body language.
The confidence, moxie, and comfort that he plays with is undeniable. Apart from the Thursday night game against Washington, Justin Fields has simply not played with that kind of swagger during the first six weeks of this season. Tyson Bagent was decisive from the first snap, averaging 2.75 seconds in time to release for the game. For reference, Justin Fields has averaged 3.42 seconds. I can’t tell you how many times I was sitting on my couch screaming, “Throw it, throw it, throw it!” while watching Fields hold onto the ball during the first six games, and yet that thought never crossed my mind once against the Raiders.
Photo: Bears Now by Chat Sports
There were many factors that contributed to the Bears cruising to a 30-12 victory. Jaylon Johnson made his case to get an extension with two interceptions, including a pick-six. Tremaine Edmunds with his biggest play as a Bear, an interception. D’Onta Foreman displayed why he was an attractive free agent to replace David Montgomery this past off-season, averaging 5.6 yards a carry and 3 touchdowns. It’s a new offensive line combination that truly held their own and will undoubtedly get better when Braxton Jones returns at left tackle. But as every football fan knows, quarterback play is what gets the media attention. Tyson Bagent went 21/29 for 162 yards, 1 TD, and no turnovers, with a QB rating of 97.2.
Luke Getsy didn’t ask much out of Bagent, and that was made clear through the game plan, but he did his job. He didn’t turn the ball over, made a couple of good throws in tight windows, scrambled for 3rd down conversions to extend drives, and relied on a strong run game to dominate the time of possession. There wasn’t anything spectacular, no 4th and 1 scramble for a 22-yard touchdown against the 49ers that just makes you sit back and say, “Wow.” But the Bears won their first home game in over a year, and right now, that’s all anyone will care about.
With reports coming out today saying that Justin Fields is still listed as doubtful to play this coming week against the Chargers, it’s looking like Tyson Bagent will get his second start. This will be a tougher matchup than the Raiders and is a must-win for LA.
Brandon Staley’s seat is about as hot as you can get, and losing in prime time to a 2-5 Chicago Bears team led by Tyson Bagent to drop to a 2-5 record would be putting some significant blood in the water. All the pressure will be on Justin Herbert and a defense that is struggling.
The tension and frustration are brewing on that sideline, and something tells me that the 0-star recruit, Division II Heisman winner from Shepherd University, will be stirring that pot just a wee bit more.
Photo: Bears Now by Chat Sports
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