Chicago Bears backup quarterback officially put on hot seat

After general manager Ryan Poles brought up the idea of signing a third quarterback, the Chicago Bears went out and added veteran Case Keenum on a one-year deal. While no one is doubting Caleb Williams’ role as QB1, the battle for backup quarterback duties has just begun.

Tyson Bagent enters the competition as the incumbent. After entering the league as an undrafted free agent, he has managed to carve out a role in Chicago. However, Keenum is a seasoned veteran, and clearly with the Bears’ new coaching staff likes what he brings to the table.

Who gets the nod is up in the air. But to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, there is no question that the backup quarterback spot will be up for grabs come training camp.

“One thing I expect from Ben Johnson and the new coaching staff is more legitimate competition for jobs — all over the place. I think the Bears fell into a spot the past couple of years where “competition” for jobs was more lip service than legitimate battles,” Biggs wrote. “A fresh set of eyes from new coaches, especially if they can start the process with no preconceived notions, should create real competition, and of course that should extend to the No. 2 quarterback job. Bagent or Keenum should have to win that spot behind Caleb Williams.”

Tyson Bagent becomes backup 

The Bears originally signed Bagent as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Playing for D2 Sheppard, he wasn’t the most heralded quarterback entering the NFL. But during his rookie season, Bagent managed to appear in five games and start four.

He went 2-2 under center, completing 65.7 percent of his passes for 859 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions. The picks immediately jump out as a red flag. However, the fact Bagent was able to lead the Bears to a pair of wins has been telling. He hasn’t given up his backup job since.

Still, he wasn’t called on much in 2024. He had a 100 percent completion percentage, but that equated to just two passes for 11 yards. With a new head coach in Ben Johnson coming in, he may want a different option behind Williams.

But Bagent has certainly proved himself going from D2 to NFL starter. Training camp will give him another opportunity to prove he deserves to be QB2.

Bears bring in Case Keenum 

While Bagent has quite the story, one thing he lacks is experience. Chicago is counting on Williams to take their team to the next level. But if he were to suffer an injury, the Bears want to ensure they have a strong plan in place. They’ve seen teams like the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets crumbled due to not having an apt backup quarterback option.

Keenum was out of the NFL in 2024 after spending the 2023 campaign with the Houston Texas, where he actually started a pair of games. Over his entire 11-year NFL career, Keenum has appeared in 80 games, starting 66 of them. He has gone 30-36 as a starter, completing 62.3 percent of his passes for 15,175 yards, 79 touchdowns and 51 interceptions.

Even if Keenum doesn’t play a snap, which is the Bears’ hope barring a late game kneel down, he is still a valuable veteran for Williams. He is still entering just his sophomore season, and Johnson – for as much hype as he has received – is a first-year head coach. Having a player like Keenum who understands what it takes to succeed at the NFL level will be a crucial resource for both.

All eyes will be on Williams as the Bears prepare for their proposed 2025 revival. But come training camp, backup quarterback will be one of the biggest position battles to watch.