Backup Quarterback Tyson Bagent set to start Against Panthers
As exciting as it would have been to see Bears quarterback Justin Fields face Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young on Thursday Night Football, it will not be happening. Bears coach Matt Eberflus confirmed this during his Wednesday presser by saying that Fields has not been medically cleared yet. Even though Fields is officially designated as doubtful for Thursday's game this confirms he will not be playing.
While missing out on a Fields vs Young matchup is disappointing, fans will get to see Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent face Bryce Young. This matchup is quite interesting, as both rookies have completely different stories. Young was drafted number one overall by the Panthers this past offseason, while Bagent was undrafted but impressed in the preseason.
In Young's seven starts this season, he has 1,375 passing yards, eight passing touchdowns, and seven interceptions on the season. Compare that to Bagent, who in three starts, has 614 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and five interceptions. Even though both player expectations are different, fans would say they have both been disappointing in different ways.
Fans will definitely be keeping a close eye on this QB duel. Depending on which quarterback leads their team, serious questions may start to be asked.