Caleb Williams' development behind first-year head coach Ben Johnson has made the Chicago Bears one of the fastest-rising teams in the NFL.
The former No. 1 overall pick had a strong rookie season, but has found even more success as a sophomore with his new coach, considered an offensive savant for his time as the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator. As the Bears embark on a 2025-26 playoff run, they'll be hoping for Williams to excel in his first-ever postseason appearance.
However, should Williams have to leave the field for any reason, Chicago has some veteran options lined up behind him.
Here's what to know about the Bears' backup quarterback in the 2026 NFL Playoffs.
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Who is the Bears' backup quarterback?
The Bears' backup quarterback to Caleb Williams is Tyson Bagent. The 25-year-old made just three appearances in the 2025 season, as Williams remained healthy all year. All three of those appearance for Bagent came late in blowouts, completing three of his four passing attempts for 47 yards.
Bagent is in his third season in the NFL, having joined the Bears in 2023 as an undrafted free agent. He played at Shephard in college from 2018-22, and as a five-year starter at the school, Bagent broke the Division II record for completions (1,400) and passing yards (17,034) and the NCAA record for passing touchdowns (159). In 2021, he won the Harlon Hill Trophy, awarded to the most valuable D-II player in the country.
Despite all his Division II success, Bagent became an NFL backup. However, he did make a few starts for the Bears in his 2023 rookie season, becoming the first Division II undrafted rookie quarterback to start an NFL game since 1950. Over five appearances and four starts in 2023 with Justin Fields dealing with an injury, Bagent totaled 859 passing yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions with a 2-2 record for the Bears.
Since then, Bagent hasn't been asked to start a game for Chicago, but he has remained a developmental backup. Even after competing with a veteran for the QB2 job in the 2025 season, Bagent remained the top backup to Caleb Williams for the Bears.
MORE: Power ranking the NFL playoff QBs
Bears QB depth chart
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Caleb Williams |
| 2 | Tyson Bagent |
| 3 | Case Keenum |
The Bears handed the keys to their offense to Caleb Williams in 2024 when they drafted him first overall. He's set to be the QB1 for Chicago for years to come.
However, should Williams miss any time, Bagent is currently in-line to take the starting snaps. Just 25 years old himself, Bagent had a decorated Division II career before becoming a young backup for the Bears.
In the 2025 offseason, the Bears also signed veteran journeyman Case Keenum to a one-year deal. While Keenum competed for the top backup job, he was ultimately relegated to QB3 — but perhaps more importantly for the Bears, Keenum has more-so served as a mentor for Williams throughout the 2025 season.
Keenum didn't just have a successful college career at Houston, but he's also been in the NFL for 14 seasons across eight different teams. Most famously, he led the Minnesota Vikings to a 13-win season in 2017, throwing the "Minneapolis Miracle" pass in the playoffs. However, the 37-year-old Keenum has returned to a backup role in the years since his time with the Vikings and Houston Texans.
MORE: How Caleb Williams came up short in quest to become Bears' first 4,000-yard passer