Chicago, IL — The winds of change have officially swept through Halas Hall. In a move that’s both surprising and exhilarating, the Chicago Bears have signed quarterback Tyson Bagent to a two-year contract extension worth a jaw-dropping $37.5 million, a deal that includes incentives capable of boosting his annual compensation even higher.
Yes, that Tyson Bagent — the undrafted Division II quarterback out of Shepherd University, the feel-good underdog story of the 2023 NFL season — is no longer just a backup or a stopgap. He’s now the guy. And the Bears have put serious money where their mouth is.
This isn’t just a contract extension. It’s a declaration.
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From Undrafted to Undeniable
To understand the magnitude of this moment, you have to go back just a couple of years. Bagent entered the NFL in 2023 with zero fanfare and slim odds. Coming out of Division II, he wasn’t supposed to last. Most draft boards didn’t even mention him. But when injuries forced him onto the field during his rookie season, he showed poise, toughness, and just enough playmaking to turn heads.
Fast-forward to 2024: Bagent found himself in a quarterback battle that no one expected him to win. And yet, he did. His mix of leadership, intelligence, and an underrated arm earned him the trust of the locker room — and eventually, the fans.
His 2024 season? Solid if not spectacular. 3,256 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, and a QB rating of 93.7. Not elite numbers, but more than respectable — especially for a team that had been drifting aimlessly through quarterback purgatory for decades.
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The Bears’ Gamble: Faith Over Flash
Let’s be clear: the Bears’ decision to invest this kind of money into Bagent is not without risk. He isn’t Patrick Mahomes. He doesn’t have a cannon like Josh Allen or the dual-threat explosiveness of Lamar Jackson.
But what he does have is belief — from coaches, teammates, and now the front office.
Sources within the organization describe Bagent as “a culture-setter,” someone who has “already won over the locker room.” One source put it bluntly: “He’s got that ‘it’ factor — the team plays harder for him. They believe in him.”
And that belief now comes with a hefty price tag. The $37.5 million extension includes $22 million in guaranteed money and performance-based bonuses that could increase his annual payout to north of $20 million if certain benchmarks — like playoff wins and Pro Bowl appearances — are met.
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What This Means for the Bears’ Future
The deal sends a clear message: the Bears are doubling down on their identity.
By avoiding the quarterback carousel that has plagued them for decades, Chicago is choosing stability. With a core of young talent — including a rising offensive line and an emerging wide receiver group led by Darnell Mooney and Keon Coleman — Bagent gives them the continuity they’ve lacked since, well, Sid Luckman.
General Manager Ryan Poles defended the move in a press conference on Tuesday:
> “We’re not chasing highlight reels. We’re building a team that wins games. Tyson is a part of that identity. He earned this — every dollar of it.”
Head Coach Matt Eberflus echoed that sentiment, saying Bagent “epitomizes the grit and intelligence we want in a Chicago Bears quarterback.”
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Fans Are… Torn
Predictably, the fanbase is divided. Social media has been a whirlwind of hot takes since the news broke.
Some fans are thrilled:
> “Finally, some loyalty. Give the kid a chance. He earned it.”
– @ChiBearsFaithful
Others? Not so much:
> “$37.5M for a game manager? Hope we’re not passing on a QB in the 2026 draft.”
– @SoldierFieldBlues
Still, one thing’s for sure: Bagent has become the center of a franchise that’s been searching for a true face for far too long.
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Could This Be the Start of a Cinderella Story — or the Next Cautionary Tale?
Bagent’s story is the stuff of Hollywood scripts. But football isn’t fiction. The road ahead is treacherous. Chicago fans have seen their share of false dawns — from Rex Grossman to Mitch Trubisky to Justin Fields. Will Bagent break the cycle?
The Bears are betting big that he will.
For now, Bagent remains focused and unfazed. When asked about the extension, he kept it humble:
> “It’s not about the money. It’s about winning. I’ve dreamed of moments like this, but the work doesn’t stop. In fact, it just started.”
Spoken like a true leader. Or maybe… the next great Bears quarterback?
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Final Thoughts
This contract marks a turning point — not just for Tyson Bagent, but for a franchise that has spent the better part of a century trying to solve the quarterback puzzle. It’s a bold move. It’s a risky move.
But maybe, just maybe, it’s the right move.
And if Bagent delivers? This deal could
go down as the steal of the decade.
Stay tuned — Chicago just got a whole lot more interesting.