fleet wrote:So, that kind of tells us he doesn’t foresee opportunities to start around the league. Unless the Bears let him know they would trade him if something came up in return for the additional financial security to sign right now in Chicago.
10M isn't quite generational wealth especially given the high tax rates, but if you have no idea if you're ever going to get a shot to be a starter, getting locked in at high end backup money is pretty good.
I doubt anyone around the league is looking at Bagent going "I want to acquire him to be my starter", so makes sense to lock in some guaranteed money whereas if he left the Bears, there is the chance he'd likely need to compete to earn a backup spot which might be fine, but could easily go against him with an injury or any other little thing where he suddenly never has a chance again.
He'll probably get some chance to start here, and if he can impress then he'll have a much better shot to get signed into an open competition later.