The Baltimore Ravens, sitting at 4-4, are confronting a quarterback crisis after Lamar Jackson underwent surgery on his right thumb and was placed on injured reserve, an injury expected to sideline him at least four games and potentially end his season. Jackson hurt his thumb on the first offensive play of Sunday’s Week 8 game against Buffalo when his hand collided with Bills linebacker Greg Rousseau, while backup Tyler Huntley also exited with a turf toe, forcing undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano into action. With the NFL trade deadline approaching, Baltimore has reportedly initiated trade talks with the Chicago Bears to acquire backup quarterback Tyson Bagent, according to Sports Illustrated.
The acquisition would not come cheap. CBS Sports reports that obtaining Bagent “won’t be cheap,” and Chicago Tribune reporter Brad Biggs previously suggested the Bears might require a second-round pick or equivalent compensation to part with him.
Lamar Jackson heads to the locker room after his first pass attempt with an apparent hand injury. pic.twitter.com/JVUQYjJV8H
The Cost of Six Career Starts
Bagent, a former undrafted free agent, has started just six NFL games, accumulating three touchdown passes and nine interceptions. His recent outing provided a clearer snapshot of his abilities: he completed 25 of 34 passes for 268 yards and steered Chicago to a 23-12 victory over the Giants despite one interception. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio cautioned that the Bears “won’t give him up for cheap,” noting that with nine days left in the trade window, the Ravens “may explore” the possibility. One general manager told Sports Illustrated, “Chicago doesn’t have to trade him. They like him … Wonder how hard they squeeze DeCosta?”
An Offensive Coordinator Who Knows Him
Bagent’s appeal to Baltimore extends beyond his statistics because of his relationship with Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, who held the same position in Chicago last season and worked directly with the quarterback. “Tyson is no-nonsense,” Doyle said during training camp in 2025. “He’s businesslike. Football’s really important to him.” Since Doyle helped implement Ben Johnson’s offensive system in Chicago before bringing elements of that scheme—including pre-snap motion, play-action and formation versatility—to Baltimore, Bagent would arrive already familiar with the concepts and expectations the Ravens employ.
Precedent for Trading Premium Picks on Unproven Quarterbacks
Front offices have previously gambled significant draft capital on quarterbacks with minimal starting experience. In 2007, Houston sent Atlanta two second-round picks and swapped first-round selections for Matt Schaub, who had started only twice in three seasons; Schaub became the Texans’ starter for seven seasons, throwing for more than 23,000 yards and reaching the playoffs twice. A decade later, San Francisco sent New England a second-round pick for Jimmy Garoppolo. For the Ravens, the central question remains how much such unproven production is worth while Jackson recovers.
More on Tyson Bagent
The Cardinals are naming Gardner Minshew their starting quarterback and benching Jacoby Brissett, head coach Mike LaFleur announces. Carson Beck will be QB2 and Brissett will be the emergency third QB. This is a signal to the NFL that they can trade for Brissett.
Mike Florio discusses Lamar Jackson's injury and what could be next for Baltimore. 👀 📺 Sunday Night Football: Eagles at Commanders on NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/C6HuW8NYNI
