Vikings Should Pursue Trade for Bears Backup QB Amid Rumors

Sam Howell made a strong showing in the Minnesota Vikings‘ preseason opener against the Houston Texans on Saturday, but his job remains in real jeopardy.

Quarterbacks playing poorly in the preseason against opposing teams’ reserves is generally a sign that they don’t belong in the NFL at all and/or that they are unlikely to play if they make a roster. Playing well under those circumstances can be a sign of big things to come, but that often isn’t the case either.

As he enters his fourth professional season, it’s clear that Howell belongs in the league. However, it isn’t clear that he should serve as the first line of defense behind 22-year-old starter J.J. McCarthy in Minnesota. The team acknowledged as much when head coach Kevin O’Connell replaced Howell during second-team work with QB3 Brett Rypien approximately one week ago, and considerable trade speculation from Vikings insiders followed.

Thus, Howell’s 11-of-13 performance for 105 passing yards against Houston isn’t necessarily going to buy him anything, and it’s reasonable to assume that Minnesota will at least continue to keep its proverbial head on a swivel with regards to another, perhaps safer and more suitable option.

One idea that could make sense is a trade with the Chicago Bears for backup QB Tyson Bagent.

Vikings May Be Able to Get Tyson Bagent for Day-3 Draft Pick, Which Would Also Be Win for Bears

Bagent joined Chicago as an undrafted free agent ahead of the 2023 campaign. He won the backup job behind Justin Fields and stepped in across five games (four starts) while Fields battled an injury during the middle of that season.

Bagent went 2-2 as the Bears’ starter, throwing for 859 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions. He also rushed the football 23 times for 109 yards and two scores.

The Bears dealt Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers the following offseason and replaced him with No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, but Bagent remained. And, yet again, he won the backup job in 2024.

Bagent is about to enter the final year of his $2.72 million contract, after which he will become a restricted free agent. Chicago clearly likes what Bagent can offer and procured him at strong value. That said, the team brought in veteran QB Case Keenum to compete for the No. 2 position.

Keenum put up his best season in his one year with Minnesota (2017) but has very little trade value heading into his age-37 campaign. Bagent, on the other hand, could probably net the Bears a Day-3 draft pick from a team like the Vikings that isn’t set at QB2 and also has questions about its QB1 due to his inexperience and all of his unknowns.

Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson High on QB Tyson Bagent

If Keenum beats out Bagent in the preseason, then hunting for a deal makes sense for Chicago. And Bagent, despite being relatively young himself, can offer Minnesota a signal-caller behind McCarthy who has proven he can step in and succeed if the Vikings truly don’t believe Howell is that guy.

Bears head coach Ben Johnson had nothing but good things to say about Bagent during a press conference on August 5.

“Man, he’s been phenomenal. I mean, he’s smart as a whip. Appreciate the seriousness and intent that he brings every time he walks into a room,” Johnson said. “He’s locked in, he’s focused. I think his teammates feel that from him. Love the fact he’ll throw the ball, and he keeps working through his progressions. … I think he’s taken this seriously. He’s preparing the right way, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that he’s here with us.”

Johnson didn’t speak as a man interested in moving on from Bagent, but the NFL is a business and every player has a price. Getting a real draft asset in return for Bagent is a value-added move based on the fact Chicago didn’t have to spend a pick to get him into the organization.

It doesn’t necessarily make sense for the Bears to move him if they believe he’s clearly a better option than Keenum and/or if they see a longterm future with Bagent as their backup QB. In any other scenario, Bagent is a reasonable trade candidate.