LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — The Bears put performance ahead of politics with a key roster decision at their backup quarterback position. They released veteran PJ Walker on Sunday, which has put undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent in line to be the team's backup behind starter Justin Fields.
While the Bears won't have their initial roster set in its most meaningful form until next week – rosters must be cut to the 53-man limit Tuesday afternoon, but waves of waiver moves are anticipated in the coming days – head coach Matt Eberflus indicated the 23-year-old Bagent has earned his place moving forward.
"We certainly feel great about where he is," Eberflus said Tuesday afternoon. "He's put his best foot forward. We're excited where we see him going in the future."
Eberflus addressed reporters prior to the NFL's 3 p.m. CT deadline Tuesday to set an initial 53-man roster, and he declined to reveal or address decisions until they're processed with the league. However, the Bears already elected to officially release the 28-year-old Walker on Sunday evening, establishing Bagent as their backup.
Bagent was signed by the Bears as an undrafted free agent in early May after an accomplished career at Division-II Shepherd University. He threw for a Division-II record 17,034 passing yards and 159 touchdowns, the most ever at any level of NCAA football.
"I just kind of have been taking it as trying to get better every day," Bagent said last week. "Trying to do my best so it's pretty tough to get rid of me.
"I'm fighting day in and day out to be the best asset for the team that I can."
Bagent's emergence forced the Bears' hand on Walker, who broke into the NFL in 2017 with the Colts. Walker has played 15 NFL games and made seven starts for the Panthers over the last three seasons, completing 57.5% of his passes for 1,461 yards, five touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Walker signed with the Bears on a two-year, $4.2-million deal in March and seemed to be set as the team's backup behind Fields. But as he struggled throughout the preseason and Bagent continued to showcase his abilities, the Bears prepared to make a difficult decision.
The Bears will pay out more than $2 million owed to Walker despite him failing to make the initial roster.
"We're going to play the best guys that we feel are going to help our team," Eberflus said. "And we're going to make decisions that we feel are best at the time for the Chicago Bears. And we held true to that."
The Bears waived quarterback Nathan Peterman on Tuesday, a source confirmed. At the moment, it left the Bears with Fields and Bagent as the only two quarterbacks on their roster. Peterman could be signed back to Chicago's practice squad should he clear waivers.
The Bears could also explore veteran options to add experience into their quarterbacks room. Colt McCoy, a 12-year NFL veteran, was released by the Cardinals on Monday and is available to be signed.
The Bears own the top waiver claim position for the cycle that ends Wednesday at 11 a.m. CT. The team is evaluating its options on waivers and even scouting players who haven't yet been added to the wire, Eberflus said.
"It's good to be first," Eberflus said. "We get to pick."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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