The Chicago Bears are making definitive moves to solidify their quarterback room, signaling a strong commitment to both immediate stability and future potential. In a pivotal decision, the team recently locked in backup quarterback Tyson Bagent with a significant long-term contract extension. This strategic investment in Bagent, alongside aggressive moves to bolster the offensive line around rookie franchise signal-caller Caleb Williams, underscores the Bears’ comprehensive approach to building a competitive roster. These developments aim to create a supportive environment for Williams’s growth and enhance the team’s overall offensive firepower.
The Big Move: Tyson Bagent’s Strategic Extension
The Chicago Bears made headlines with their commitment to Tyson Bagent, signing their primary backup quarterback to a two-year contract extension. This deal is reportedly valued at $10 million, with potential incentives that could push its total worth to $16 million. Securing Bagent, 25, before he entered the final year of his rookie contract and became a restricted free agent in 2026, ensures vital stability behind Caleb Williams for the next two seasons.
Bagent’s journey to this significant extension is truly remarkable. He joined the Bears in 2023 as an undrafted player out of Division II Shepherd University. Despite his humble beginnings, he quickly proved his mettle during his rookie season. When starting quarterback Justin Fields was sidelined with an injury in 2023, Bagent stepped in, impressively leading the team to a 2-2 record across four starts.
His strong performance continued into the recent preseason, particularly against the Buffalo Bills. In that dominant 38-0 victory, Bagent completed 13 of 22 passes for 196 yards and threw a touchdown. This outing solidified the coaching staff’s confidence in his readiness and effectiveness on the field. Even with the offseason addition of veteran Case Keenum, Bagent has consistently maintained his position ahead on the depth chart. Head coach Ben Johnson praised Bagent’s consistent “preparation and focus,” noting his “intensity and intelligence.” General Manager Ryan Poles publicly lauded Bagent as “one of the hardest workers in the organization.”
Safeguarding the Future: Protecting Caleb Williams
While Bagent’s extension provides crucial backup depth, the Bears’ overarching strategy revolves around the development of Caleb Williams. The organization is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to provide Williams with the best possible environment to thrive. This commitment is most evident in the significant overhaul of the offensive line.
Under the new leadership of head coach Ben Johnson, the Bears have made immediate and impactful changes to reflect Johnson’s offensive philosophy. General Manager Ryan Poles wasted no time bolstering the offensive line, executing trades for veteran guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, and signing center Drew Dalman. These critical moves directly address a major issue from Williams’s rookie season, where he was sacked a league-high 68 times. With existing weapons like D’Andre Swift, D.J. Moore, and Rome Odunze, coupled with Johnson’s consistent play-calling, the Bears aim to accelerate Williams’s development.
Elite Reinforcement: The Joe Thuney Trade
The acquisition of All-Pro guard Joe Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round draft pick stands out as a cornerstone move. Thuney, a highly decorated player, brings an impressive resume to Chicago, including four Super Bowl championships, two All-Pro selections, and three Pro Bowl nods. Experts universally praised the move, highlighting Thuney’s elite skill and versatility.
USA Today (Grade: A): Praised the Bears for addressing their biggest need with a proven, reliable, and durable lineman, without sacrificing current-year draft picks.
ESPN (Grade: B): Considered Thuney “maybe the best guard in football,” noting his $16 million cost as a value. Anticipates a long-term extension.
CBS Sports (Grade: A): Emphasized the Bears’ commitment to protecting Williams, envisioning a strong future offensive line with Thuney at left guard.
The Athletic (Grade: A): Highlighted Thuney’s professionalism, versatility across all five line positions, and invaluable leadership for a young locker room.
Sports Illustrated (Grade: A+): Called the trade a “slam-dunk,” praising Thuney’s versatility and Poles for acquiring one of the NFL’s best guards for a “meaningless” pick.
Bears Wire (Grade: A-): Deemed it a “no-brainer,” citing Thuney’s elite talent (zero sacks allowed in 1,115 snaps protecting Patrick Mahomes last season) and championship pedigree.
Thuney’s arrival, alongside other offensive line additions, signals a clear intent: give Caleb Williams the necessary protection to unleash his potential.
Caleb Williams’ Evolution Under New Leadership
Beyond roster additions, significant focus remains on Caleb Williams’s personal development. Coach Ben Johnson has provided positive updates on Williams, noting significant “growth” and increased “comfort” within the offensive system. Johnson highlighted Williams’s adaptability to the offense’s complexity, which involves transitions from shotgun to under-center formations and dynamic movement of tight ends and receivers.
A crucial aspect of Williams’s improvement stems from his preparation process. Johnson described it as “really clean,” indicating that the quarterback is performing essential “work behind the scenes” now yielding visible dividends. The coaching staff is diligently working on Williams’s footwork, emphasizing that “it always starts with the feet” for quarterbacks to ensure consistent accuracy. Johnson’s goal for Williams is a 70% completion rate in practice and games; he noted that Williams started camp around 55% but shows continued improvement.
Williams’s rookie year saw challenges, including those 68 sacks. The new coaching staff had specific areas of improvement for him over the offseason, particularly his body language and pre-snap procedure. Johnson stressed the importance of positive body language for team leadership during adversity. This mindset is crucial for a quarterback to elevate teammates. Refining his pre-snap routine is also a key focus for streamlining offensive execution. Based on Johnson’s comments, Williams appears to be moving in the right direction, setting an optimistic tone for his second professional season.
Broader Team Development & Outlook
The Bears’ strategic moves extend beyond the quarterback position. The competition for the starting left tackle position continues, with Theo Benedet taking the majority of first-team reps, alongside Braxton Jones. Coach Johnson seeks “clarity” at this crucial spot, acknowledging the battle has been intense.
On the defensive side, training camp has seen several standouts. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, for example, recorded his second red-zone interception in two joint practices, picking off his former Bills teammate, Josh Allen. Safety Jaquan Brisker has also been a significant force, making multiple impactful plays and earning praise from Edmunds for his “big-time camp.” The defense is focused on generating takeaways and disrupting opposing offensive lines, preparing for a challenging season ahead. The team’s overall direction points towards a strong, well-protected offense and an aggressive, ball-hawking defense, positioning them to become increasingly competitive in the NFC North.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Tyson Bagent’s contract extension for the Chicago Bears?
Tyson Bagent’s two-year, $10-16 million contract extension provides the Chicago Bears with crucial stability and depth at the backup quarterback position. By securing Bagent, who performed admirably with a 2-2 record in four starts last season, the team ensures a reliable secondary option behind Caleb Williams for the next two seasons. This proactive move prevents Bagent from becoming a restricted free agent in 2026, demonstrating the Bears’ confidence in his continued development and ability to step in if needed.
How are the Bears ensuring Caleb Williams’ development and protection for the upcoming season?
The Bears are making comprehensive efforts to support Caleb Williams’s development. Strategically, they have drastically upgraded the offensive line by acquiring All-Pro guard Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, and signing center Drew Dalman. These moves directly aim to reduce the sacks Williams faced in his rookie year. Coach Ben Johnson is also intensively working with Williams on key fundamentals like footwork, pre-snap procedures, and positive body language, targeting a 70% completion rate in practice to accelerate his growth within the new offensive system.
What’s the overall outlook for the Chicago Bears’ offense and team in 2025?
The overall outlook for the Chicago Bears in 2025 is optimistic, fueled by strategic roster building and dedicated player development. With a significantly bolstered offensive line and a promising talent like Caleb Williams receiving focused coaching, the offense aims for accelerated development and higher efficiency. Tyson Bagent’s extension provides a strong safety net at quarterback. Combined with a defensive unit showing flashes of aggression and playmaking ability in training camp, the Bears are positioning themselves to be a more competitive force within the NFC North.
