For Tyson Bagent, this past week has been nothing short of a whirlwind.
From breaking down in tears at an emotional press conference to signing a life-changing contract extension, the Chicago Bears quarterback capped it all off by pulling off one of the most dramatic preseason comebacks you’ll see.
On Friday night at Arrowhead Stadium, Bagent stepped into the spotlight and led the Bears back from 17 points down in the fourth quarter, stunning Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the Kansas City Chiefs with a 29–27 victory.
From Tears at the Podium to Calm on the Field
Just two days earlier, Bagent had struggled to keep his emotions in check while speaking about his new contract — a two-year extension through 2027, worth $10 million and potentially rising to $16 million with incentives.
The moment clearly meant the world to him, but when game time came, he showed nerves of steel.
Taking over in the second half with Chicago trailing 20–10, the 25-year-old orchestrated three straight scoring drives in the final quarter.
Then, with just 1:29 left, no timeouts, and 87 yards to go, Bagent marched the Bears down the field for the game-winning drive.
Chemistry With an Unexpected Partner
Much of that final drive leaned on rookie receiver Jahdae Walker — another undrafted player who, like Bagent, came from a Division II program.
Their connection felt natural, born out of shared experiences.
“Tyson trusts me and I trust Tyson,” Walker said. “We’ve always had that bond because we both came from D-II.
We know the grind. That’s my guy, and I just want our chemistry to keep growing.”
Walker praised Bagent’s composure in the moment, adding, “You could just tell how poised he was. He deserves everything coming his way.”
Stepping Into His Moment
Bagent’s stat line spoke for itself: 20 completions on 28 attempts for 212 yards in just one half of football.
And this wasn’t a one-off — the week before, he engineered three straight touchdown drives against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field.
It’s the kind of performance that not only validates the Bears’ faith in him but also hints at bigger things to come.
Family Inspiration and Personal Motivation
For Bagent, none of this journey has been simple.
Growing up in Martinsburg, West Virginia, he leaned heavily on his father, who had endured serious hardships in his own youth.
“My dad is my right-hand man,” Bagent shared earlier this week, his voice breaking.
“He didn’t even have running water until high school.
I don’t know anyone back home with money, so this contract feels like a weight off my shoulders and my family’s shoulders. It means a lot.”
From Undrafted to Undeniable
Bagent’s road to the NFL was steep. After going undrafted in 2023 despite a record-setting career at Shepherd University, he fought his way into the league and spent most of last season backing up Caleb Williams, only appearing in four games and throwing two passes.
But Bears head coach Ben Johnson sees something special in him.
“I’ve really been blown away by his approach from the spring to now,” Johnson said. “He knows what to do, how to do it, and he gets it done.
Honestly, I think we have one of the best quarterback rooms in the NFL, top to bottom.”
What’s Next for Bagent?
With his new deal secured and momentum building, Tyson Bagent has put himself firmly on the NFL map.
While Caleb Williams remains the starter, Bagent’s steady rise and emotional journey have won over teammates, coaches, and fans alike.
If this past week is any sign of what’s ahead, the Bears may have one of the league’s best backup quarterbacks — and perhaps, in time, something even more.
