While they may not receive as much praise, a reliable backup quarterback is one of the most important people in the NFL.
Chicago has found one in Tyson Bagent, and the Bears rewarded their QB2 with a contract that has led to one of the more emotional stories of the 2025 preseason. After signing an eight-figure contract extension with the franchise, Bagent took the podium to explain just what the deal meant for him.
"You know, a lot of people don't know this, but my dad is my right-hand man, and he didn't even have running water until he was in high school," a tearful Bagent said to the media.
"There's definitely a lot of things for people that I think I could certainly help with this gift I've been blessed with, but yeah, just little things like that, you know, I don't really know anybody back at home with any money, so it feels good."
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Learn more about Bagent's contract extension, his West Virginia roots, and his family background.
Bagent signed a two-year, $10 million contract extension, which keeps him with the Bears through the 2027 season. The extension can be worth up to $16 million with the included incentives.
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Bagent did not hear his name called in the 2023 NFL Draft and stuck with the Bears as an undrafted free agent. He made a total of $1.7 million through his first two NFL seasons and is set to add just over $1.0 million to that tally in 2025.
Bagent will add at least $10 million to his career total over the next two seasons. With an average annual value of $5.0 million, Bagent will more than double his career earnings during the 2026 season.
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Bagent was born and raised in Martinsburg, West Virginia.
As of 2020, Martinsburg has a population of less than 19,000 people. The town is located roughly 75 miles from Baltimore and around 60 miles from Washington, D.C.
Bagent attended college at Division II Shepherd University.
Bagent is the oldest of four children born to Travis and Casey Bagent.
Tyson's father is a former world champion arm wrestler and also played football collegiately at Shepherd. His mother, Casey, is also a Shepherd graduate.