Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent broke down in tears at an emotional press conference to mark his new contract on Wednesday.
The Bears handed their backup to Caleb Williams a two-year contract extension through the 2027 season. Bagent’s new deal is worth $10million but could go as high as $16m if incentives are reached.
Bagent, who grew up in Martinsburg, West Virginia, was clearly overwhelmed by such a lucrative pay day and told reporters that his father dealt with major struggles as a child.
A teary-eyed Bagent, 25, said: ‘My dad is my right-hand man. He didn’t even have running water until he was in high school.
‘There are definitely a lot of things and people that I think I could certainly help with this gift I’ve been blessed with.
‘I don’t really know anybody back at home with any money so it feels good. It’s certainly a weight off my shoulders and my family’s shoulders and it definitely means a lot.’
Tyson Bagent broke down in tears at an emotional press conference to mark his new contract
Bagent detailed his family’s financial struggles after earning a two-year, $10m NFL contract
Bagent played four games last season but has made a big impression with coach Ben Johnson
Bagent played in four games and threw two passes last season with Williams starting every game after being drafted with the No. 1 overall pick. But he’s made a big impression over two seasons.
Undrafted in 2023 following a record-setting career at Division II powerhouse Shepherd University, Bagent played in five games and made four starts while leading Chicago to two wins with Justin Fields injured.
He completed 66 per cent of his passes for 859 yards with three touchdowns and six interceptions.
‘I’ve really been blown away by his approach from the spring to start of camp to where we are now,’ coach Ben Johnson said.
‘He does a tremendous job knowing what to do, how to do it and getting it done. So I don’t think you can have enough talent in that room. I think we actually have one of the best rooms in the NFL, certainly that I’ve been around in my career from top to bottom.’
Bagent set what was the NCAA´s all-division mark with 159 career touchdown passes, and finished with more completions (1,400) and yards passing (17,034) than any other Division II quarterback.
In 2021, Bagent won the Harlon Hill Trophy, Division II´s equivalent of the Heisman.
Chicago also signed veteran running back Royce Freeman and placed running back Deion Hankins on injured reserve.
Freeman, a third-round draft pick by Denver in 2018, has run for 1,792 yards and 10 touchdowns with the Broncos, Houston, Los Angeles Rams and Carolina.
