Weird Trade Buzz Links Vikings to Bears QB
If the Minnesota Vikings need a new backup quarterback, one website knows just the guy — evidently.
An unexpected morsel of trade chatter has connected the Vikings to a Bears QB. Here’s what’s fueling the speculation, and whether it’s realistic in the first place.
The folks at Heavy seem to believe that Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent would fit nicely in Minnesota and be a realistic trade option.
It’s the latest theory after current Vikings QB2 Sam Howell struggled early at training camp a couple of weeks ago.
Trade Theory with Bears Enters Vikings Rumor Mill
Tyson Bagent to Minnesota is unlikely, but some like the idea.
Tyson Bagent … as a Vikings QB2 Option?
Heavy‘s Max Dible personally created this hypothesis on Saturday.
He wrote, “Bagent could probably net the Bears a Day-3 draft pick from a team like the Vikings, which isn’t set at QB2 and also has questions about starter J.J. McCarthy due to his inexperience and all of his unknowns.”
“Sam Howell made a strong showing in the Vikings’ preseason opener against the Houston Texans on Saturday, but his job remains in real jeopardy. 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 McCarthy.”
Minnesota and Chicago rarely engage in trade business.
Dible added, “The team acknowledged as much when head coach Kevin O’Connell chose to replace Howell during second-team work in favor of 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. Bagent fits that bill, potentially at the price of a Day-3 draft pick.”
And just like that, a fringe trade theory gained legs.
QB2 May Not Be a Need for Vikings after All
Not for nothing, Howell turned the tide on his flailing QB2 resume last weekend. He took over for J.J. McCarthy in the Vikings’ offense against the Houston Texans, logging 105 passing yards on an 11-of-13 passing completion-to-attempt split.
Before the preseason win, Vikings fans had pondered other QB2 options, like Carson Wentz and Ryan Tannehill from free agency, or someone like Jameis Winston via trade.
Howell dialed back those options, and it may have just taken the man a while to settle into Kevin O’Connell’s complicated passing scheme.
Realistic QB2 Options for Vikings, if Applicable
Suppose Howell regresses in the final preseason games, forcing Minnesota to explore extra QB2 options. The free agent list might look like this:
- C.J. Beathard
- Jaren Hall
- Ryan Tannehill
- Carson Wentz
Via trade, Minnesota would inquire about these players:
- Trey Lance
- Drew Lock
- Mike White
- Dorian Thompson-Robinson
- Zach Wilson
- Jameis Winston
- Bailey Zappe
It’s also worth noting that the post-roster-cutdown market on August 26th will reveal oodles of freshly released quarterbacks, a playground for QB2 and QB3-needy squads.
NFC North Trades Rare
This Heavy idea won’t come to life because the Vikings and Bears don’t do trade business. It’s taboo. It’s more likely that Chicago retains Bagent while releasing Case Keenum, and then Minnesota pounces on Keenum from free agency — than a Minnesota-Chicago deal for Bagent.
It’s just a fun theory for the pro-Bagent crowd.
More on Bagent, Bears QB2 Battle
Meanwhile, Bears-themed media is struggling to decide which quarterback Chicago should employ as QB2 behind Williams.
Between Keenum and Bagent, Fansided‘s Anthony Miller opined this week, “Bagent had a mixed bag of a day in the game, as he threw a nice touchdown pass to Maurice Alexander despite pressure on his face on fourth and goal. He did have the interception that was deflected in tight coverage, which could be attributed to both Bagent’s decision and the receiver, Samori Toure, not doing enough to either catch it or knock it down.”
“Keenum arguably had the better day at quarterback, as both of his touchdowns were impressive. Interestingly enough, it was his mobility that caught a lot of attention, as he used his leg to secure the first touchdown catch and moved around well. Going with the younger quarterback in Bagent would seem like the easy move to make, but Keenum made a convincing argument to be the backup.”
Vikings fans, of course, are no stranger to Keenum. He led the purple team to the 2017 NFC Championship.
Miller continued, “Keenum was more efficient, and the offense moved the ball more consistently than Bagent did. Johnson will have an interesting decision to make, but he will have to be pleased with how both his quarterbacks performed. They showed Johnson enough to know they are secure with either quarterback as a backup.”
“The big decision is which one should win that job. Don’t expect that to be decided until the end of August.”
It’s far more likely for Bagent to remain with the Bears than be involved in any Vikings trade.
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