The 2023 season has not gone according to plan for the Chicago Bears. They are currently 2-6 on the season after losing to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football in Week 8. Just as things were starting to look good, the team was hit with another obstacle to overcome.

In Week 6 against the Minnesota Vikings, starting quarterback Justin Fields injured his thumb. It could not have come at a worse time as Fields was coming off the best back-to-back games of his young career.

In Weeks 4 and 5 against the Denver Broncos and Washington Commanders, Fields threw for 671 yards and eight touchdowns with only one interception. He added 82 yards on the ground, showcasing the dual-threat ability that made him such a dangerous player. Unfortunately, right as he was picking up steam, a thumb injury forced him out of the lineup.

In his place, the Bears have turned to undrafted free agent, Tyson Bagnet out of Shepard University, a Division II school. Bagnet was okay in relief of Fields against the Vikings and then led the team to victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7.

In his first career road start, Bagnet completed 25-of-37 passes for 232 yards, throwing two interceptions and zero touchdowns, but he did find his way into the end zone for a rushing score. Evidently, that was enough for the Bears to stick with him for at least one more week.

Bagnet will be tested again in a hostile road environment as the Bears are set to face the New Orleans Saints in Week 9. He will be the starting quarterback once again as Fields isn’t ready to return to the field.

With their season already seemingly in the dumps, it makes sense to not rush Fields back. Putting him in harm’s way without being 100 percent healthy would do him or the franchise any good.

As a result, Bagnet will get his third career start with veteran Nathan Peterman being his backup. Unless something goes drastically wrong, expect Bagnet to remain the team’s starter for as long as Fields is sidelined for.

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