Sunday afternoon was a monumental day for Tyson Bagent and the Chicago Bears. A former Division II quarterback for the Shepherd Rams, the rookie undrafted free agent made his first NFL start in the absence of Justin Fields.
And for the most part, Bagent did his job! He didn’t jump off the page per se, but he got the ball out quickly, threw over 100 yards, and generally didn’t let Maxx Crosby ruin Chicago’s game plan as its ground offense took over the proceedings. With the one-win Bears now fighting for their season basically every week, that’s all they need for the time being — a game manager who doesn’t lose the game. But a late first-half sequence demonstrated why there’s probably a ceiling on Bagent’s NFL future.
As Chicago looked to add to a 14-3 lead on the final play, it subbed Bagent out for Nathan Peterman on a Hail Mary attempt. Why?
Because Bagent’s arm probably isn’t strong enough to launch a ball that deep and that high. But it’s still Nathan Peterman — owner of an atrocious career 8.1 interception percentage — so you can guess how the Hail Mary went:
Peterman pic.twitter.com/PFYlOpmrNU
— ok man (@sportsguy839303) October 22, 2023
None of this is to diminish how well Bagent has played relative to expectations. Once again, he’s a Division II quarterback starting his first professional football game against some of the finest athletes in the world. But if he can’t throw a Hail Mary or, you know, put some spice on his passes, it’s pretty evident his career ceiling is more of a backup than someone who’s going to change a franchise.
No one should ever be substituting you for Nathan Peterman in any respect if you’re good enough to be a full-time starter.
This is how Twitter reacted
So ah… Peterman in to throw the Hail Mary bc Bagent doesn't have the arm. Interesting… pic.twitter.com/R5wVWxwamV
— Jeff Berckes (@gridironborn) October 22, 2023
The Bears are sending Nathan Peterman into the game for a Hail Mary before halftime. That is not the best endorsement of Tyson Bagent's arm strength.
— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) October 22, 2023
They put Peterman in because Bagent has noodle arm?
— Start Roschon Johnson (@FieldsGoatQB1) October 22, 2023
I'm assuming Peterman was in for the hail mary because he can throw farther than Bagent.
— 79th & Halas Podcast (@79thAndHalas) October 22, 2023
The bars really just had nathan peterman, who is arguably the worst NFL qb of all time might i add, celebrity shot a hail mary because bagent cant throw 30 yards… I really hate it here
— BRICK FLAIR AKA D’HANDSOME (@Trevantula) October 22, 2023
Tyson Bagent with an outstanding first half. Efficient and quick.
Shows that he has the makings of a very good QB2.
Nathan Peterman coming in at halftime to throw the hail mary is exactly why he doesn't have the arm to become a QB1.
— Bill Zimmerman (@BillTZimmerman) October 22, 2023
#bears bring in Peterman for the Hail Mary and that doesn’t work. I guess that says a lot about Bagent’s arm
— Jeff Terry (@nuclear94) October 22, 2023
Why would the bears bring in Nathan peterman for a last second Hail Mary. Better question, why would they have him on a roster? How is he not working at T-Mobile?
— Jon McCants (@mccantsvt) October 22, 2023
Why’d they put in Nathan Peterman?? Is it because Tyson Bagent doesn’t have the arm strength to throw a Hail Mary?
— Faizan Qurashi (@FaizanQurashi) October 22, 2023
