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Bears may cut ties with Caleb Williams' young backup QB in favor of veteran

The Chicago Bears have a big season ahead.

It'll be the second season for QB Caleb Williams, who was chosen No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. And it's the first season for new head coach Ben Johnson.

An unsung role on a good team is the backup quarterback spot, and one analyst thinks the Bears might be due for a change there.

NFL Trade Rumors thinks Case Keenum could take over the QB2 role behind Williams. That would mean moving on from third-year passer Tyson Bagent, who found his way onto the NFL roster despite playing at Division II Shepherd University.

"Bagent was impressive in 2023 considering he was an undrafted rookie from Division II Shepherd," NFLTR writes. "He has potential as a backup, but the Bears' resources will be focused on developing former No. 1 pick Caleb Williams and they have veteran QB Case Keenum as the primary backup. It's more likely that Bagent is claimed by another team rather than acquired in a trade."

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Bagent clearly has positive traits, or he wouldn't have made it even this far coming off his time at a small school.

If he becomes available, someone else will give him a chance.

On the one hand, it could make sense for the Bears to keep developing him. But on the other hand, Keenum has proven he can step in and deliver when needed, even on playoff teams.

Chicago probably can't pass up the chance for Keenum to be Williams' backup, and that could leave Bagent as the odd man out.