Rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent collected his first win in his first NFL start as the Chicago Bears topped the Las Vegas Raiders, 30-12, on Sunday. The win ended a 10-game home losing streak at Soldier Field, a stretch that spanned over 390 calendar days.
He was one of three Bears players — including cornerback Jaylon Johnson and running back D’Onta Foreman — to receive a game ball from Matt Eberflus following the win.
And the message from his head coach?
“Just that it was my first career start,” Bagent said after the game. “Pretty big deal for any quarterback that get his first career start. Just everybody rallying around me and making me feel good, I always appreciate that.”
The undrafted rookie relieved the injured Justin Fields in Week 6 against the Minnesota Vikings. It took a couple of drives for Bagent to settle in, and once he did, his potential was visibly apparent.
Against the Raiders, Bagent was efficient in moving the ball. He made the smart play and, more often than not, the safe pass. Aside from one sack late in the first half, Bagent had relatively no pressure.
This one felt good. pic.twitter.com/cyXFarnzcR
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 22, 2023
He did what any new quarterback should do, letting his playmakers do the heavy lifting. And more importantly, Bagent did not turn the ball over.
“I thought he did a nice job,” Eberflus said of the young quarterback. “Those speed outs, the one that he hit to DJ (Moore) at the end in that big third down, that was nice. That was good. And really, the ability to evade and then also throw the ball, I thought he did a nice job. Nice, accurate passes there, too.”
Bagent finished the day going 21-of-29 for 162 yards, a 97.2 quarterback rating, and a touchdown pass to Foreman in the third quarter.
His 72.4 percent completion rate was the third-highest by an undrafted rookie quarterback, making his first career start in the common-draft era.
The Bears offense was efficient in moving the ball because Bagent was able to get the ball out before being pressured. The Raiders were credited with just three quarterback hits, as Bagent used his mobility to extend plays.
Eberflus reiterated that Fields will be the starting quarterback when he returns from his thumb injury. His status for next week remains unknown at this time.
However, the conversation for who should be the starter could heat up should Bagent lead the Bears to a road win against the Los Angeles Chargers next week on Sunday Night Football.
