Over the course of the next month, the Chicago Bears will have many more conversations regarding the future of their quarterback position, but none of them will touch on the prospect of bringing back seasoned backup Nathan Peterman for one more season.
Peterman is inking a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints, and according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, he will have the chance to take over for former No. 1 overall choice Jameis Winston as Derek Carr’s backup in 2024. He’ll probably face off against Jake Haener, a 2023 fourth-round pick, for the position.
After the Bears signed veteran Brett Rypien to a one-year contract on March 13, Peterman, who had been the team’s third-string quarterback for the previous two seasons, appeared certain to leave. In his two seasons in Chicago, he appeared in just five games and was unable to unseat Trevor Siemian or undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent for the starting backup position.
The Bears still have three quarterbacks on their 2024 roster: Rypien, Bagent, and starter Justin Fields. Peterman has left the team. That said, with a new offensive coordinator in Shane Waldron and the No. 1 overall pick in hand, it is unknown if Fields or Bagent will still be on their 90-man roster when training camp begins.
Will 2024 Provide Tyson Bagent with an Opportunity to Compete?
Regarding the Bears and his NFL prospects, Bagent is in an interesting situation. In 2023 training camp, the previously undrafted rookie from Division II Shepherd made waves by unseating both Peterman and projected backup quarterback PJ Walker for the No. 2 quarterback position. Midway through his rookie season, he was given the chance to start four games while Fields recovered from an injury. Despite throwing three touchdown passes to six picks, he showed some promise.
However, Bagent’s original source of information about Chicago is no longer employed. After the 2023 Senior Bowl, Bagent made an impression on former offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, which helped him get consideration when the organisation was making its UDFA signings after the previous year’s draft. But now that Getsy is in Las Vegas, Waldron will be running the Bears’ 2024 offence, so Bagent will have to prove himself once more.
The Bears may not want to jump to any conclusions about Bagent, but how they approach their quarterback situation in the coming month may have a significant impact on whether or not the organisation decides to give him an opportunity to stay in the position through 2024. It is widely anticipated that the Bears will sell Fields and choose a new rookie quarterback at No. 1 overall, most likely Caleb Williams. However, if Fields and a rookie stay in the organisation, Bagent may not make it.
The Bears may decide, if Williams is drafted, that it makes more sense to start a seasoned quarterback behind him rather than a young, flashy player. If Bagent is too green, Rypien would be a contender, but someone more qualified would also be a good fit.
Of course, it’s not easy to locate a good quarterback. The least the Bears can do is allow Bagent to participate in 2024 if they think he has a talent worth developing.
Is Justin Fields Still a Potential Option for the Broncos?
Following the initial wave of free agency, Fields has put the Bears in an unpleasant scenario. While certain clubs, including Atlanta, Pittsburgh, and Las Vegas, were in need of starting quarterbacks, other teams signed veteran options and tried to find backup quarterbacks. Now, the Bears will probably have to accept far less than the second- or third-round pick they were initially predicted to get in exchange for Fields if they decide to deal him.
However, it’s possible that the Denver Broncos are becoming desperate.
The Broncos may have trouble selecting a new rookie franchise quarterback at No. 12 overall in the 2024 NFL draft, given their current position in the selection order. The only two quarterbacks on their 2024 roster are Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci, so they certainly need something. The Broncos might choose to take a chance on Fields and see if Sean Payton’s offence can realise his unrealized potential, even if they look set to move up.
In the event that the Bears are prepared to go with a little in exchange for Fields in exchange for their passer, the Broncos might be interested in making a minor trade-up in addition to obtaining Fields. In exchange for the Broncos’ No. 12 pick and either the 76th or 121st overall pick in the third or fourth round, Chicago might offer Fields and their No. 9 overall pick.
For Heavy.com, sports reporter Jordan J. Wilson covers the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Cubs.
He has previously covered sports at every level, from high school to professional, for a range of media, such as The News-Gazette, The Indianapolis Star, Springfield State-Journal Register, and Peoria Journal Star. Additional information regarding Jordan J. Wilson
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