The Baltimore Ravens sit at 4-4 after quarterback Lamar Jackson was placed on injured reserve following thumb surgery on his throwing hand. Backup Tyler Huntley also suffered a toe injury in Jackson's return game against Buffalo, forcing undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano into action. With the NFL trade deadline approaching, Baltimore must decide whether to rely on its current quarterback room or seek external help.
According to Pro Football Talk, the Ravens could explore trading for Chicago Bears backup Tyson Bagent, though acquiring him "won't be cheap." Chicago Tribune reporter Brad Biggs suggested in February that a second-round pick, or equivalent compensation, might be required to convince the Bears to part with Bagent, reflecting how Chicago values its backup quarterback.
Bagent, a former undrafted free agent from Division II Shepherd University, has six career starts with three touchdown passes and nine interceptions. Historical analysis of quarterback trades since 2007 for players with 10 or fewer starts shows mixed results. Notable successes include Matt Schaub, acquired by Houston for two second-round picks and a first-round swap, who started seven seasons, and Jimmy Garoppolo, traded to San Francisco for a second-round pick, who went 5-0 down the stretch and eventually posted a 38-17 record as starter. However, only five of 10 such trades resulted in the quarterback starting at least eight games for the new team, and just three — Schaub, Garoppolo, and Jacoby Brissett — made 16 or more starts.
Bagent's appeal to Baltimore stems largely from offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, who worked directly with Bagent in Chicago last season. Doyle described Bagent as "no-nonsense" and "businesslike," noting that football is really important to him. Doyle also brought elements of Ben Johnson's offensive system from Chicago to Baltimore, giving Bagent familiarity with the concepts and expectations.
History underscores that coaching, scheme, and supporting cast heavily influence quarterback performance. Schaub thrived under Gary Kubiak, Garoppolo under Kyle Shanahan, and Malik Willis improved under Matt LaFleur. Matt Cassel's Pro Bowl season in Kansas City coincided with former Patriots coordinator Charlie Weis's arrival.
Data from 2015-2025 shows that 41 teams above .500 after losing their starting quarterback saw backups go 55-82, yet 24 still made the playoffs, 12 won a postseason game, and four won the Super Bowl. However, playoff probability drops sharply with longer absences: 67.9% for one to three games, 38.5% for four or more, and 16.7% for seven or more. The Ravens are not currently above .500, making an extended absence particularly perilous.
Based on history, a fourth-round pick might seem reasonable for Bagent, but Chicago has little incentive to accept such an offer with Bagent under contract through 2027 as Caleb Williams' backup. Alternative options include recently demoted Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett, though the Cardinals have not indicated they are shopping him. Baltimore also signed Austin Reed to its practice squad — another quarterback who worked with Doyle in Chicago. The Ravens must weigh whether paying a premium for Bagent addresses a short-term need or simply reflects a lack of options.
