This discourse has gotten old very quick. If you want someone to put this Bagent-Fields BS to bed with rationale and reason, read on - I’m that dude.
Just because some fans want to see more from Tyson Bagent before they crown him as the savior, they’re being labeled “Bagent haters.”
First off, there’s no such thing as a true Chicago Bears fan who is a “Bagent hater.” They are just rational fans who want a bigger sample size, and maybe they believe (with good reason) that Fields has been dealt a terrible hand by our organization before this year so they still believe in his talent and want to make sure Bagent can truly eclipse that talent weekly.
The Raiders played so shitty last Sunday that I didn’t learn a ton about Bagent other than he makes quick decisions and he’s capable of being a solid game manager.
It was impossible to learn more because the Raiders blow and Josh McDaniels is so up his own ass that he doesn’t realize that AARP member Brian Hoyer can’t lace Aidan O’Connell’s cleats whether it’s preseason or not.
Point is, routine game managers don’t get promoted to franchise QB status. That’s not how the NFL works in 2023. Hell, it didn’t work that way in 2009 when game managing savant Kyle Orton was here either. That’s why we dealt him for Cutler.
Can Bagent earn that franchise status? Sure! But why the hell would I bank on that right now? It makes no sense without more evidence.
I want to see Bagent go deep when it’s available and stretch the field to keep the defense honest. I want to see Bagent face in-game adversity and see how he responds. I want to see how well he can move the offense down the field if our run game gets stuffed. I want to see if he can win the game off his arm or legs or both when the defense allows 24+ points like they did for 14 straight games with Fields at the helm until a few weeks ago.
Why is there something wrong with that…? If Bagent aces those tests, I’m all in on QB1 Bagent! But if he’s limited in certain regards, then that’s okay too. I think no matter what he will be a great backup for us long-term, which is extremely valuable.
This weird Civil War among the fanbase is silly as hell, when literally all of us can make the smartest, healthiest decision - to let it play out and see what happens.
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Very valid points. My honest and humble opinion:
Bears franchise is a black hole from QBs careers: agreed. But somehow Bagent seems to be the exception to that, and he fits with the offense Getsy is trying to run.
Given the fact that Justin will probably be activated next week for the saints, It would be really short sighted, well more silly, if Fields lost the starting job backup after two games. Cuz I mean you’re talking about a guy that is 2nd all time in highest rush yards in a season for a QB. But when I look at the 49ers, they invested a lot and even traded up to get their guy Trey Lance - then Brock Purdy comes in full his full game manager swag and the go 5-0, and they kept him at the top of the depth chart, trade away Lance for scraps, and they are top of the power rankings.
Whether you are a Fields guy or Bagent guy you got to admit Bagent has the more exciting story.
It’s a small sample size and no starting QB should lose their job for a backup playing 2 good games (assuming he does well against the chargers). But honestly idk that sort of thing happens all the time in this league, Tiki Barber, Tom Brady, Tony Romo, Dak Prescott (who ironically took Tony Romo’s job) - the list goes on and on.
Chargers are 31st ranked defense i feel pretty good we’ll see some deeper throws from Bagent and he hits his O/U over 191 pass yards.
100% Fields is back under center if Tbag plays sub par, and 98% Fields starts even if Bagent has a good game. But regardless of what happens both will have a shorter leash. Even if Bagent wins the starting job I would at least like to see Fields get a couple snaps in the red zone or 4th down to present the running threat.
Excited for tomorrow!