The Chicago Bears will continue to talk about their future quarterback situation in the next month, but they won't be considering bringing back experienced backup Nathan Peterman for another year.
According to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, Peterman is getting a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints and will have a chance to replace former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston as Derek Carr’s backup for the 2024 season. He will likely compete with 2023 fourth-round pick Jake Haener for the job.
Peterman has been the Bears' No. 3 quarterback for the last two seasons, but it was clear he would leave once the team signed experienced Brett Rypien to a one-year deal on March 13. He only played five games in his two seasons with Chicago and couldn't win the main backup job over Trevor Siemian or undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent.
Even though Peterman has left, the Bears still have three quarterbacks on their 2024 roster: starter Justin Fields, Bagent and Rypien. It's not clear if Fields or Bagent will still be on their 90-man roster when training camp starts, especially with a new offensive coordinator in Shane Waldron and the top overall pick in hand.
Will Tyson Bagent Get a Shot to Compete in 2024?
Bagent is in an interesting position with the Bears and his NFL future. The former undrafted rookie from Division II Shepherd made a name for himself in the 2023 training camp by beating out Peterman and intended backup PJ Walker for the No. 2 quarterback job. He then got the chance to start four games midway through his rookie season while Fields was injured, showing potential despite throwing three touchdowns to six interceptions.
However, the person who first brought Bagent to Chicago is no longer on the staff. Bagent had impressed former offensive coordinator Luke Getsy during the 2023 Senior Bowl, which is how he got considered for the team's UDFA signings after last year's draft. With Getsy now in Las Vegas, the Bears' 2024 offense is Waldron’s to control, meaning Bagent must prove himself all over again.
The Bears might not want to rush to judge Bagent, but how their quarterback plans develop in the next month could indicate whether the team will give him a chance to keep his job for 2024. The Bears are expected to trade Fields and draft a new rookie quarterback — probably Caleb Williams — at No. 1 overall, but if both Fields and a rookie stick around, it could mean the end for Bagent.
If the Bears draft Williams, they might decide that it's better to have a veteran quarterback behind him instead of a young and inexperienced player like Bagent. Rypien could be an option, but they might also need someone with more experience if Bagent is too inexperienced.
Of course, good quarterbacks can be hard to find. If the Bears believe they have a talent worth developing in Bagent, letting him compete in 2024 is the least they can do.
Could Broncos Still Be an Option for Justin Fields?
The Bears are in a tough spot with Fields after the first round of free agency. Many of the teams looking for starting quarterbacks — Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas — signed experienced options, while others filled their backup jobs. Now, if the Bears want to trade Fields, they might have to accept less than the second- or third-round pick they had hoped for.
Then again, maybe the Denver Broncos are getting desperate.
The Broncos are at No. 12 overall in the 2024 NFL draft order, where they might struggle to find a new young franchise quarterback. But they only have Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci as their quarterbacks for 2024. While the Broncos may try to move up in the draft, they could also decide to take a chance on Fields and see if Sean Payton’s offense can help him reach his potential.
Maybe the Broncos would be interested in getting Fields and moving up in the draft at the same time, if the Bears are willing to make a compromise. Chicago could offer both Fields and their No. 9 pick for the Broncos’ No. 12 pick along with a third- or fourth-rounder — either No. 76 or No. 121 overall.
