Playing without a single offensive starter, quarterback Tyson Bagent overcame a slow start Saturday to lead the team to two second-quarter scores. The Bears and Browns went into halftime at Soldier Field tied at 10.
The backup quarterback marched the Bears down the field at the end of the half, leading to a 50-yard Cairo Santos field goal. The Bears started their final drive at their own 14 with 1:24 to play.
Bagent also threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Maurice Alexander four plays after Jamree Kromah strip-sacked Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson on fourth-and-two about four minutes into the second quarter.
On the Bears’ first play of the second quarter, Bagent faked a handoff left to Roschon Johnson and came up throwing. As he was hit by defensive end Tyreak Sapp, he threw deep over the middle to Kaden Davis, who was crossing from left to right. Davis was tackled after a 41-yard gain. Before that completion, Bagent had two passing yards.
He finished the half 13-for-22 for 169 yards and a 79.5 passer rating.
Later, he was intercepted by cornerback Michael Coats Jr. when he stared down Stephen Carlson.
The Bears didn’t play a single offensive starter. On defense, the team started a handful: rookie safety Dillon Thieneman, their first-round pick; defensive tackle Gervon Dexter; linebackers Devin Bush and D’Marco Jackson; and defensive ends Austin Booker and Dayo Odeyingbo, who are fighting for the spot opposite Montez Sweat.