(Audacy) Bears rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent's poise Sunday didn't come as a surprise to receiver DJ Moore.
Bagent, who joined the Bears as an undrafted free agent out of Division-II Shepherd University, impressed in making his first NFL start Sunday. Bagent showed promise in Week 6 when he took over after Justin Fields dislocated his thumb, and the 23-year-old Bagent built upon the performance in a 30-12 win over the Raiders.
He went 21-for-29 for 162 yards and a touchdown in the air. He also didn't turn the ball over at all against Las Vegas after throwing an interception and fumbling once the week before.
Right from the jump, it was clear Bagent was comfortable leading the offense, Moore said on the Mully & Haugh Show on Monday.
"I wouldn't say he was wide-eyed (in the huddle), he was more like 'OK, I got this. Let's do it,'" Moore said. "He was really confident in himself and taking charge in the huddle. I think his confidence made his play (strong) and anxiety go down when he walked into the huddle and saw that we all had his back."
It has been quite the rise for Bagent, who was playing against Division-II opponents this time last year. He performed well enough in training camp to earn Chicago's third-string quarterback job, then leapfrogged Nathan Peterman on the depth chart in Week 4.
Bagent exudes confidence, which Moore first realized months ago in a non-football setting.
"His rookie show, he got up there and was rapping Drake, so it's like he is confident all around no matter what he's doing," Moore said.
Bagent became just the fourth Division-II quarterback to start an NFL game in the past 20 years. The Bears are hopeful that Fields won't need to go on injured reserve, so Bagent's time as their starting quarterback could be short-lived.
