(Story by Luke Wiggs)
MARTINSBURG, W.Va- Sunday Tyson Bagent became the 6th NFL rookie quarterback to start a game for the 2023-2024 season and the argument can be made that the undrafted signee from Shepherd University out performed his peers.
Oct 22, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) passes in the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
First Starts for NFL rookie QB’s This Season
Bryce Young: 20-38, 146 yards, 1 TD, 1 int, 17 rushing yards with a fumble, LOST 24-10
CJ Stroud: 28-44, 242 yards, 0 TD, 0 Int, 20 rushing yards with a fumble, LOST 25-9
Anthony Richardson: 24-37, 223 yards, 1 TD, 1 int, 40 rushing yards with a TD, LOST 31-21
Dorian Thompson-Robinson: 19-36, 121 yards, O TD, 1 int, 24 rushing yards, fumble, LOST 28-3
Aiden O’Connell: 24-39, 238 yards, 0 TD, 1 int, 3 rushing yards with a TD, 3 fumbles LOST 24-17
Tyson Bagent: 21-29, 162 yards, 1 TD, 0 int, 24 rushing yards, WON 30-12
Not only was Tyson the only rookie QB this season to start his first game and win, he also did not turn the ball over in Chicago’s 30-12 victory over Las Vegas.
Bagent was aided by a stout performance from the Bears ground game averaging 4.6 yards per carry and a defense that held the Raiders to just 3 points through the first 3 quarters, but the young signal caller completed passes to 8 different receivers and threw just 8 incompletions.
“There was poise, there was pocket presence, he did face some pressure and evade the rush and delivered the ball down the field doing a really nice job,” Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said after the game. “He did a really good job of distributing the ball.”
With Bears quarterback Justin Fields still dealing with a dislocated thumb, Bagent is positioned to start again this Sunday night in primetime as Chicago takes on the Los Angeles Chargers.
