Radiers @ Bears: Tyson Bagent 2023 Week 7 Grade

Tyson Bagent 2023 Week 7 Score against the Raiders. So this is Tyson's first career start, and best scored game by PFF, coming in at a 74.5. Coincidentally it is also his only game in 2023 without a turnover worthy play.

His 2.41 ADOT (average depth of target) would be the lowest I've charted for a QB since I began scoring (54 games) so it goes without saying this was a very controlled, "get the ball out quick" offense that featured very little reading of the defense, and downfield throws. See it -> throw it or check it down.

15 yards was his deepest target on the afternoon, a completion to DJ Moore, coincidentally his best graded play on the afternoon. 11 of his 29 attempts were either at or behind the LOS. Time to throw was under the league average of 2.78 (2.65). So at the very least one of the bullet points that people highlight about Bagent has held up so far (albeit aided by an offense that has not really asked him to hold the ball.)

Overall this was an extremely dull game to watch if you came for QB play, Bagent was not asked to do much of anything, nor did he really have to against a bad Raiders team.

This was the Bears first home win in over a year. For the full season of tracking, please click here.

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Breakdown

Let's start with the worst throw of the afternoon. 1st and Goal, 7:40 in the 2nd Q. With how quickly Bagent bails from the pocket this feels like a sprint out but he could also be panicky from seeing what seems to be a free rusher in Tyree Wilson. Bagent has Darnell Mooney wide open on the crossing route (Mooney was actually pretty filthy all game) but Tyson shows a huge lack of touch airmailing the ball over Mooney out of the back of the endzone. D'Onta Foreman would score a few plays later (he scored 3 times against the Raiders.) This was a "Poor" play.

Now his aforementioned best. 3rd and 7 at the Chicago 38. This was a weird drive, first off. Clear two minute drill but there was literally zero urgency in it. Eberflus essentially sat on all 3 time outs until the clock was under :30. (a sign of things to come I guess.) Bagent does a good job extending the play, rolling out and finding the open man (DJ Moore as gets props from a good scramble drill.) He delivers a decent ball over a defender in front of him to keep the chains moving on 3rd down. Nothing would come of this drive as the Bears would attempt a Nathan Peterman hail mary. This was a "Good" play.

Uhhh listen I'm really scratching the bottom of the barrel for good plays here. Here's a scramble for 12 yards on 2nd down he made. Decent navigation of pocket pressure and good wheels to pick up what he needs for a first. This was a "Good" play.

I wanted to highlight this play to specifically hone in on Bagent's lack of zip on his throws. This is a 3rd and 17 play, coming off the heels of the only sack Tyson took. Tyson again senses pressure, rolls out and throws to Tyler Scott on the scramble drill. However Tyson's lack of arm on the throw allows the defender enough time to close on Scott and make the play to break up the pass. This ball is in the air for far too long, especially for a throw that's only ~20 air yards. This was graded "Below Average."

2nd and Goal ~4 minutes left in the 3rr Quarter. 14-3 Bears. This is a simple fade route to your #1. Fade routes by all means aren't an easy throw but Tyson both underthrows it and throws it off target, DJ actually makes a crazy adjustment and stab at it, but good defensive play breaks the play up. This was graded "Bad."

One play later, Tyson's first TD pass. An example of see it -> throw it or check it down. Tyson does the right thing here, checks it down for a TD. Mooney does come open on this play, but a touchdown is a touchdown. This was graded "Average".

Finally just wanted to point out Mooney absolutely crossing over a defender. Robert Spillane almost takes a spill on Mooney's cut here. Watching Mooney in this game made me miss him, he would fit in very nicely with the offense we have now. This play went for 11, and was graded "Above Average."