(670 The Score) Rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent earned the Bears’ faith as their backup in part because of his ability to manage a game cleanly, but that wasn't the case in the team's 24-17 loss to the Saints on Sunday at the Superdome.
Bagent committed four turnovers – three interceptions and a fumble – and the Bears had five in total (receiver DJ Moore also had a fumble) in a game that was within reach for them to win. Chicago fell to 2-7 with the loss.
With 2:26 remaining in the game, Bagent and the Bears had one last chance as they trailed by a touchdown. But on a second-and-20 play from the Bears' own 27-yard line, Bagent was stripped of the football and the Saints recovered to seal their victory.
Making his third NFL start Sunday, Bagent was 18-of-30 for 220 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. He led the Bears’ offense to 368 total yards (5.8 yards per play) and kept his team in the game, but his turnovers proved to be decisive in the loss.
Bagent has thrown for six interceptions in four games since stepping in on for starter Justin Fields, who's recovering from a dislocated right thumb. An undrafted rookie out of Division-II Shepherd University, Bagent earned the Bears’ admiration in part because of his willingness to grow and learn in the role.
“He does a great job of taking the coaching,” Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said of Bagent last week at Halas Hall. “He does a great job of trying to get better so he doesn't make the same mistake twice.
“This guy's a competitive guy. He's all about what's best for the team. He's all about, ‘How do I get better?’ All that stuff about feeling sad or feeling high, just not one of those guys. He's pretty consistent.”
Fields returned to practice Friday at Halas Hall, working in a limited fashion for the first time since suffering the dislocated thumb in a game on Oct. 15. After struggling to grip the football in the aftermath of the injury, Fields returned to throwing last week and is feeling more comfortable.
The Bears haven't stated whether Fields will return to game action when they host the Panthers on Thursday at Soldier Field, but that's a possibility if all goes to plan.
Bagent would return to the Bears’ backup quarterback role once Fields is reinstated into the starting job.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.