5 issues to learn about backup Justin Fields

The Chicago Bears have dominated out quarterback Justin Fields for Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders as a result of a dislocated thumb on his proper hand.

Rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent will get the nod below heart in Week 7, making him only a participant The fourth second-tier QB to start an NFL game in the last 20 years. Bagent joined the Bears as an undrafted free agent in Could. The 23-year-old then beat out PJ Walker for a roster spot within the preseason and solidified himself as Chicago’s No. 2 quarterback.

Bagent made his AFL debut final week after Fields left with an damage.

“I feel coming from the place I am coming from, I’ve just about overcome all the things that is unusual to me,” Bagent stated this week. “So I’ve nothing to lose. I will go on the market and battle these guys to the dying and attempt to get as many wins as I can till we get Justin again.”

Head coach Matt Eberflus stated Friday that the staff doesn’t consider Fields might want to go on injured reserve, though it’s thought of week-to-week. So Bears followers might have to regulate to seeing Bagnett below heart.

The Bears (1-6) host the Raiders (3-3) at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. Listed here are 5 issues to know in regards to the rookie earlier than kickoff.

Division II faculty soccer file

Bagent won two state championships He handed for 7,800 yards and 112 touchdowns throughout his profession at Martinsburg Excessive College in West Virginia. However that manufacturing hasn’t gotten a lot consideration from faculties, a minimum of on the Division I stage.

Albany and Robert Morris have been the one D-1 faculties to supply Bagent, in keeping with ESPN. The 6-foot-3 QB went in a special route.

Bagent determined to play faculty soccer in his house state at Shepherd College, a Division II college that his dad and mom had beforehand attended. This turned out to be a sensible choice. The junior completed his faculty profession holding the NCAA file for all-time landing passes (159) and is the Division II file holder for all-time passing yards (17,034) and whole touchdowns (171).

“I didn’t know he was a Division II quarterback who set all of the data,” Jaylon Johnson stated this week. “When I discovered that out, it began to make sense. He is aware of he can play at a excessive stage. He can throw the ball. You see that all through observe. He carries himself in a different way than the typical, undrafted rookie quarterback.”

He received a prize named after the earlier bear

The Division II record-setter was linked to the Bears earlier than he ever placed on an NFL uniform.

Bagent was the winner of the 2021 Harlon Hill Trophy, the Division II equal of the Heisman Trophy. That season, as a junior, Bagnet threw for five,000 yards and 53 touchdowns en path to incomes Division II Soccer Most Excellent Participant standing.

The award’s namesake performed for the Bears from 1954 to 1961. Hill, who performed defensive again and the equal of a large receiver, earned NFL Rookie of the 12 months and Most Precious Participant honors in his time with the Bears. He is nonetheless a three-time Professional Bowler Second in franchise history in receiving yards (4,616) and receiving touchdowns (40).

Coached by Bears OC in Senior Bowl

Bagent’s excellent efficiency in faculty made him the uncommon Division II participant who earned a spot within the Senior Bowl earlier this yr. The occasion is a vital step alongside the NFL Draft course of for gamers hoping to be seen by coaches on the subsequent stage. And the coach of the Bagent’s Senior Bowl staff was none aside from present Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.

Though the Bears didn’t use a draft decide on Bagnett, his time with Getsy definitely factored into the franchise’s determination to carry him in as a free agent.

“He has lots of confidence, he works very arduous,” Getsy stated of Bagnett this week. “Preparation is what provides him his confidence. At the start of (Senior Bowl) week, I sort of thought he was a nervous man, however I feel it was as a result of he was pushing himself an excessive amount of. By the point we acquired to Wednesday, Thursday, I noticed a man who was prepared.” For rock and roll.

“The nice half about him is the work ethic and the kind of teammate he brings to this huddle, and for him to have the ability to lead the huddle immediately on his first alternative to take action, he is accomplished a very nice job. Nice job.”

Father is an arm wrestling champion

It is secure to say that there have been lots of wrestling matches within the Bagnet family whereas he was rising up.

Or a minimum of the arm wrestling sort. Paget is the son {of professional} armwrestler Travis “The Beast” Paget, a 17-time world champion within the sport. Bagent’s father received titles with each arms and made himself identified The greatest arm wrestler of all time.

He had a backup plan if the NFL did not work out

What is going to Bagent do now if he does not get a spot within the NFL?

“CrossFit is my life away and I am getting as ripped and damaged as I can.” Bagent said this week, also adding that he will be an instructor at his alma mater.

This plan will simply have to attend. Fields injured his hand within the third quarter of Chicago’s Week 6 recreation in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings. Bagent was instantly thrown into his first-ever NFL motion. The rookie accomplished 10 of 14 passes for 83 yards in his debut, scoring his first skilled landing on a QB sneak that made it a one-score recreation.

However Bagent was intercepted, his second turnover of the day, on Chicago’s closing offensive drive in a 19-13 Bears loss. Bagent admitted after the match that he wanted to play higher shifting ahead. However many Bears gamers have been vocal of their help of the Division II starters all week.

Will there be nerves earlier than the Bagnett’s first NFL begin? perhaps. But it surely beats the choice.

“To look again at the place I’m and take a look at how all the things has fallen into place, nothing however excessive gratitude and feeling tremendous pleased,” Bagent stated.