CHICAGO (670 The Score) – After awarding a game ball to rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent following the Bears’ 30-12 win against the Raiders on Sunday, head coach Matt Eberflus made it clear who will continue forward as the team’s starter under center.
“Justin (Fields) is our starting quarterback,” Eberflus said.
When Fields could return to game action remains to be seen. The team will re-evaluate his injured right thumb this week at Halas Hall with the hope that he could return next Sunday for a primetime game at the Los Angeles Chargers.
With Fields sidelined Sunday, the Bears were led to victory by the 23-year-old Bagent, an undrafted rookie out of Division-II Shepherd University who made his first NFL start. Bagent admitted he felt nerves all week until pregame at Soldier Field. Then, he settled in and led the Bears to victory.
Bagent went 21-of-29 for 162 yards and a touchdown, operating efficiently within offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s scheme. Bagent’s first NFL touchdown pass was a 5-yard connection to running back D’Onta Foreman late in the third quarter, a score that stretched the Bears’ lead to 21-3 after Foreman had earlier rushed for two touchdowns.
“I thought this was an outstanding team effort today,” Bagent said.
In an unlikely journey to the NFL, Bagent quickly began earning the Bears’ belief after he signed with them in late April following the NFL Draft. He was given snaps during the offseason program in the spring and proved himself worthy of the backup role with his performance during training camp and the preseason. He was then officially elevated to the No. 2 role in September.
When Fields dislocated his right thumb last week, Bagent got the nod in the third quarter of the Bears’ eventual 19-13 loss to the Vikings.
On Sunday, Bagent rewarded that faith by leading the Bears to their second victory of the season, one that snapped a 10-game home losing streak at Soldier Field.
“He was just himself,” Foreman said. “Nothing any different than we’ve seen through the preseason up until now. I think we all expected him to be that guy, come out there and do what he did today.
No surprises from us at all.”
The Bears won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff. Chicago went three-and-out when Foreman dropped Bagent’s pass on third down, but the offense found its rhythm after that.
The Bears’ following drives lasted 12 plays, eight plays, six plays, nine plays, 15 plays and 12 plays. Chicago controlled time of possession by holding the ball for 34:06 and went 8-of-13 on third-down conversions. Getsy’s focus was getting Bagent to operate with quick decisions and releases, and he managed the game well to lead the Bears to victory.
“I feel like I’ve played like a million games at quarterback,” Bagent said. “I was able to win the job in high school my sophomore year, and I started every game through my senior year at college. I mean, that’s seven years of starting, understanding what the week of preparation looks like and going through pretty much every concept and run concept there is. Repetition is the mother of all learners, and I’ve been blessed to have a lot of repetitions in my life.”
The Bears haven’t set a timetable for Fields’ return to action. The team has ruled out surgery to repair his right thumb, which has seen reduced swelling and increased grip strength lately.
When Fields is cleared to return, the Bears will press forward with him as their starting quarterback. On Sunday, Bagent proved that he’s capable of stepping in and leading a victory.
“You shouldn’t allow for your confidence to rise or drop, win or lose,” Bagent said. “You just kind of play the next play as a lot of people like to say. That’s what I look forward to doing this next coming.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.