Bears' Old Backup QB Could Serve as Caleb Williams Insurance Policy

The Chicago Bears offensive line was unable to protect quarterback Caleb Williams effectively against the Houston Texans Sunday night, which is potentially a major problem moving forward.

Texans defenders teed off on Williams to the tune of 11 QB hits on the evening. The punishment the rookie QB took in just his second game is unsustainable for the long-term, which likely means the front office will take a hard look at additions to the offensive line and the coaching staff will try to teach the No. 1 overall pick a bit more about self preservation.

But those two measures might not be enough on their own.

Tyson Bagent is the backup QB in Chicago, while Austin Reed is technically the third-string signal-caller, though he currently resides on the practice squad. While Bagent did start four games for the Bears during his rookie campaign in 2023 to reasonable success ( he went 2-2 ), both he and Reed are undrafted free agents with minimal and zero NFL experience, respectively.

Chicago might be wise to consider a veteran quarterback, either as a third to carry on the active roster and/or as a more experienced option to battle Reed for a spot on the practice squad.

Options aren't overflowing in free agency, though one of Chicago's recent backups is available.

The Bears signed PJ Walker to a two-year contract ahead of last season, though ultimately released the QB after Bagent bested him during the summer for the backup job behind Justin Fields .

However, Walker has started nine games as a pro ( 5-4 ) across stints with the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns . He is a more proven entity than Reed and has some familiarity with the Bears locker room as a member of the team during head coach Matt Eberflus ' first preseason in 2023.

Walker wouldn't compete for the starting job, though he could potentially give Bagent a run for his money as the backup. And if Williams ever gets hurt, Walker provides Chicago with a tested backup who keeps getting jobs rather than an undrafted rookie in Reed who has never taken a regular-season snap.

That may be the way to go if the Bears can't figure out how to plug the holes on the offensive line, which has surrendered 9 sacks of Williams through just two games.