The Baltimore Ravens are 4-4 after star quarterback Lamar Jackson underwent thumb surgery on his throwing hand and was placed on injured reserve. Backup Tyler Huntley also suffered a toe injury, forcing undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano into action.
With the NFL trade deadline approaching, Baltimore is exploring options to bolster its quarterback room. One name surfacing is Chicago Bears backup Tyson Bagent, who worked with Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle in Chicago last season. Doyle praised Bagent's professionalism and familiarity with the offensive system now being implemented in Baltimore.
According to Pro Football Talk, acquiring Bagent would not be cheap. Chicago Tribune reporter Brad Biggs suggested in February that a second-round pick, or equivalent compensation, might be required. Bagent has six career starts, three touchdown passes, and nine interceptions.
Historical Context
An analysis of quarterback trades since 2007 shows mixed results. Success stories include Matt Schaub (traded for two second-round picks) and Jimmy Garoppolo (traded for a second-round pick), but many deals for unproven quarterbacks yield limited returns. Only three of ten examined trades resulted in the quarterback making 16 or more starts for the new team.
Playoff Implications
Data from 2015-2025 indicates that teams above .500 can survive short backup stints, but playoff chances drop sharply when a replacement starts four or more games. The Ravens are not currently above .500, and Jackson's recovery timeline remains uncertain.
Baltimore may also consider other veterans such as Jacoby Brissett, recently demoted by the Arizona Cardinals. The team has also signed Austin Reed, another quarterback familiar with Doyle's system, to the practice squad.
The Ravens must decide whether to pay a premium for a backup who could keep the season alive or pursue alternative solutions before the trade deadline.
