Former Bears QB Austin Reed Turned Heads in First UFL Game

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 17: Austin Reed #16 of the Chicago Bears looks on against the Buffalo Bills during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on August 17, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Two years ago, the Chicago Bears picked up an undrafted quarterback out of Western Kentucky who threw for 15,588 yards and 149 touchdowns in 51 career starts, and that was QB Austin Reed.

The Bears had success in the past picking up undrafted free agent quarterbacks, and still have one on the roster with Tyson Bagent.

Unfortunately for Reed, he was eventually released by Chicago and was not brought back on the practice squad in August 2025 after losing a spot to veteran Case Keenum.

However, the good news is he found another opportunity as the starting QB for the UFL’s Dallas Renegades and put on a show in his debut game.

Former Bears QB Austin Reed Turned Heads in First UFL Game

In his debut, Reed broke the UFL record for most passing yards (376) in a regular season game. He went 27-40 (65%) and had a 120.4 passing rating along with three touchdowns.

Reed beat out veteran Luis Perez for the starting role, and it looks like he’s not giving it up anytime soon.

Keenum said last May that he saw a lot of himself in Reed, saying, “And Austin, I see a lot of myself in Austin. Young guy that just needs a shot and is hungry, doesn’t get a lot of reps but makes the most of it when he can.”

Renegades head coach Rick Neuheisel also had this to say when naming Reed as the team’s starting quarterback.

“I want to see what Austin can do. I think there’s some gifts there, some DNA that’s ultra competitive. If he can channel that, keep his calm and be within himself. He’s got some tools that I think he should be playing on Sundays.”

Reed now has his chance in the UFL, and it looks like he deserves another shot in the NFL.

Tyson Bagent Breaks Silence on Trade Rumors

GettyQuarterback Tyson Bagent #17 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after a touchdown.

As for Bagent, he faces a unique challenge with the Bears. There have been reports in the offseason that Chicago has been in trade talks with teams surrounding Bagent, but nothing has transpired yet.

Bagent recently commented on the trade rumors, saying, “All the noise during the combine stuff was not necessarily expected. But as far as this NFL thing has been, you can’t expect — everything is unexpected. It was nice to hear my bosses talk [about] me that way. But as far as my thoughts behind it, [they are] that the only thing I need to do is stay ready. And for right now, that seems to [mean] to be the best quarterback I can be for the Bears for another season.”

General manager Ryan Poles commented on the trade talk surrounding Bagent during the NFL Combine, saying, “We’ve gotten a few calls there. Obviously, the tough thing is, what Ben thinks of Tyson, what I think of Tyson, what our locker room thinks about Tyson. That’s a really tough decision for us but for Tyson as well, I think he would have the opportunity to go perform for a team and do some really good things but again you have to weigh the short term and long term.”

It’s now the end of March, and Bagent is still on the team. The Bears likely want premium draft capital that teams aren’t willing to give away for Bagent, or they just don’t believe him away is the best decision for the team.

Either way, it’s something to monitor as the offseason rolls on.