The Chicago Bears have already been buyers on the trade market ahead of the NFL deadline on Nov. 10, landing All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. But could they also be sellers? That's what the Baltimore Ravens are hoping for, according to one NFL insider.
The Ravens are expected to be without star quarterback Lamar Jackson for the rest of the season after he suffered a right thumb injury on the first play against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Jackson had just returned after a three-game absence with an ankle injury. Now, the two-time MVP is headed to injured reserve and will undergo surgery on his right thumb.
Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley was also injured during Sunday's loss to the Bills, where he suffered a toe injury that's expected
to sideline him for Thursday night's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now, it sounds like Baltimore is desperate to add a quarterback to the roster, and there's someone who is familiar with the system that offensive coordinator Declan Doyle runs.
According to Sports Illustrated's Jason LaCanfora, Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent is the Ravens' "top pursuit" and they've in fact reached out to Chicago and are "in a desperate position." LaCanfora added that the Bears have been rejecting any offers for Bagent through the summer, as there's belief he's a valuable backup in Ben Johnson's offense.
Here's what one NFL GM told LaCanfora: "Chicago doesn’t have to trade him. They like him … Wonder how hard they squeeze (Ravens GM Eric) DeCosta?"
Doyle served as the offensive coordinator for the Bears last season under Ben Johnson, and he has experience working with Bagent, who knows how to operate this offense.
Bagent started in two games with starter Caleb Williams sidelined with a hamstring injury, and it was an overall rough showing. Still, Bagent remains QB2 over Case Keenum (who led Chicago to an impressive Week 3 win) even after a Week 5 disaster against the Green Bay Packers, where he was picked off twice. Would the Bears be willing to part with a young quarterback like Bagent who's been praised by head coach Ben Johnson?
Another name mentioned in conjunction with the Ravens is Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett. If Chicago doesn't want to part with Bagent, that could very well be the guy that Baltimore targets ahead of the trade deadline.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Report: Ravens targeting Bears QB Tyson Bagent in potential trade
