The New York Jets can take several different routes to finding their quarterback for the 2026 season, including the trade market.
Gang Green will explore every possible option, and their plans remain unknown as free agency begins in just a couple of weeks.
As of late, an underrated trade candidate has emerged: Chicago Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent.
Speaking to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine, Bears general manager Ryan Poles said Bagent has generated interest around the league and that Chicago has “gotten a few calls” regarding the 25-year-old.
It remains unknown whether the Jets are among the teams that inquired about Bagent, but given the team’s need at quarterback, it would not be surprising if New York was on that list.
Bagent signed with the Bears in 2023 as an undrafted free agent out of Shepherd University. Across three seasons in Chicago, Bagent has appeared in 12 games while leading Chicago to a 2-2 record in four starts, all of which came during his rookie season.
In his career, Bagent has completed 66.4% of his passing attempts for 917 yards, three touchdowns, and six interceptions, while adding 109 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground with four fumbles.
During the 2025 preseason, Bagent was excellent for the Bears, completing 46 of his 69 passing attempts (66.7%) for 511 yards (7.4 yards per attempt), five touchdowns, and an interception.
“I love Tyson, and that’s one that pulls at your heartstrings. He’s a hell of a football player that at some point you want to see him have a chance to do it himself,” Bears head coach Ben Johnson said of Bagent on Tuesday. “I am of the mind that he’s one of the best 32 [quarterbacks] in the NFL. If he’d like an opportunity to start, I’d certainly hope he’d get that somewhere.”
It isn’t surprising to hear that teams have inquired about Bagent. The Jets could certainly have been one of them.
After his breakout 2025 season, Caleb Williams isn’t moving out of Chicago anytime soon, which places Bagent in an intriguing situation, one similar to Tanner McKee’s with the Philadelphia Eagles behind Jalen Hurts.
Bagent has been competent when called into action during the regular season and thrived in the 2025 preseason. Still only 25 years old, he could have plenty of untapped potential. He is also very cost-effective, which is another bonus.
After signing a two-year, $10 million extension with the Bears ahead of the 2025 season, the team acquiring Bagent for the 2026 season would only incur a $4.2 million cap hit.
With interest around the league already forming, Bagent profiles as a realistic option for teams in need of a bridge QB this year, making him a player the Jets could explore acquiring to fill that role.
