Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent was among the darlings of trade rumors that began swirling at the Combine in late February and continued through the first several waves of free agency in March, and the always spinning QB carousel has brought that conversation back to the forefront on the cusp of the 2026 draft.
The two teams analysts mentioned most frequently in connection to Bagent over the past couple of months were the Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons. Since then, the Cardinals inked Gardner Minshew to a one-year deal and are rumored to be heavily in on Ty Simpson of Alabama as a draft prospect.
Meanwhile, the Falcons added released Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa on a league minimum deal.
But while the front end of the NFL alphabet in Arizona and Atlanta may be out on Bagent, at least for the time being, the Pittsburgh Steelers are starting to look more and more like a viable suitor either during, or shortly after, this weekend’s draft.
Pittsburgh owner Art Rooney II said in the weeks leading up to the draft that he was hopeful/expectant that Aaron Rodgers would deliver the team an answer on his desire to return for his age-43 campaign after leading the Steelers to an AFC North Division title and the playoffs last season.
But with no answer yet from the four-time MVP, or clear timeline on when one might come, Pittsburgh enters Round 1 on Thursday with 12 picks and no bonafide starter under center.
As such, Brad Berreman of FanSided suggested Wednesday that trade discussions around Bagent could very soon come into play for Steelers brass and new offensive-minded head coach Mike McCarthy.
Steelers May Soon Tire of Waiting to Hear From Aaron Rodgers
GettyQuarterback Aaron Rodgers of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The case for Bagent is that Rodgers is the oldest player in the NFL, seemingly unconcerned about Pittsburgh’s timelines and only Mason Rudolph (9-9-1 record across 34 career appearances) and second-year player/2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard currently occupy spots in the position group.
“If Rodgers isn’t going to be the guy, it’s hard to envision Howard, Rudolph, or a rookie being their desired answer under center with an eye on remaining competitive next season,” Berreman argued April 22.
“Bagent, with four regular season starts and 149 regular season pass attempts on his résumé, is largely an unknown quantity himself,” Berreman continued. “But if Rodgers isn’t coming back, and the draft takes shape a certain way, a lack of remaining viable options may push the Steelers toward making a trade offer the Bears will have a hard time turning down.”
Tyson Bagent Could Command Early 3rd-Round Pick in Trade
GettyChicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent.
What Chicago might be loathe to turn down in return for Bagent is a matter of some debate.
Caleb Williams hasn’t missed a start in two years. He’s also taken 92 sacks in 34 games and isn’t afraid to scramble and push the ball downfield with his legs, which potentially means more hits.
Bagent, who will play next year at 26, is under contract for two more seasons at a total of $10 million. That’s a high-end backup QB salary, but it’s reasonable, particularly for a player that both head coach Ben Johnson and GM Ryan Poles like and trust.
Bagent isn’t liable to lose trade value over the course of the upcoming campaign, unless he plays significant snaps and does so poorly, so there is real value for Chicago in keeping him behind Williams as insurance in 2026 then cashing in on the trade market one year from now.
Because of that, a Day 3 pick simply won’t do in terms of trade value, but a first-rounder is also out of the question. That puts Bagent’s price tag in the Round 2-3 range. The Steelers hold the rights to pick Nos. 53, 76, 85 and 99 on Day 2.
If Pittsburgh were to come with an offer of the 53rd pick, the Bears couldn’t say no, while the compensatory 99th selection might have the opposite effect on Chicago’s answer.
The 76th or 85th pick feels like an appropriate range on the Bears’ end, while moving either asset will feel like a bargain in Pittsburgh a year or two down the road if Bagent pans out as a bonafide starter.
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