“$135 Million? HARD PASS.” Tyson Bagent Stuns NFL, Turns Down Mega Offer — “Chicago Is Where My Heart Is. Period.”
In a jaw-dropping turn that shook the football world to its core, Tyson Bagent, the gritty underdog-turned-franchise leader of the Chicago Bears, waved off a staggering $135 million offer
from both the Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots — a deal that could’ve rewritten his life and legacy overnight.
Instead, the 24-year-old quarterback doubled down on loyalty, grit, and everything it means to be a Bear.
Standing at a press conference packed with stunned media and roaring applause, Bagent delivered a line that immediately went viral from Soldier Field to every NFL locker room in America:
“I’m chasing something bigger than money — I’m chasing pride, history, and the city that never gives up.”
Within minutes, the internet went thermonuclear. Hashtags like #BagentBelieves, #NeverLeaveTheDen, and
#ChicagoForever lit up social feeds while Bears fans flooded downtown Chicago, waving orange-and-blue flags and chanting his name.
The People’s Quarterback
From small college dreams to NFL reality, Tyson Bagent has always been more story than star. But now, with a breakout season that included
3,780 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and a playoff berth for Chicago’s first time since 2020, he’s playing like a man possessed — and refusing to let anyone write his ending for him.
“You can try to buy a future,” Bagent said. “But you can’t buy belief. And Chicago believed in me when no one else did.”
Front Office Responds — With Love and Legacy
Bears General Manager Ryan Poles released a statement dripping with pride:
“Tyson Bagent is exactly what this franchise needed — heart, toughness, loyalty. He’s not just our quarterback — he’s our identity.”
Sources tell us the Bears are preparing what’s being called a “Legacy Contract” — not just to reward Bagent, but to anchor him long-term as the foundation of Bears football for years to come.
This isn’t just about money or wins — it’s about building something that matters.
The Critics Chime In — But Chicago Laughs Last
Of course, not everyone bought into the fairytale.
Fox Sports Analyst Skip Bayless warned:
“Rejecting $135 million could be the biggest risk of his career. One bad game, one wrong hit… and he’s lost tens of millions.”
But Bagent’s reply was simple and chilling:
“Some people chase security. I chase legacy.”
Bears Nation Responds: ALL IN
Within hours, Bagent jerseys sold out in a record-setting rush. Fans formed flash mobs outside Soldier Field singing “Bear Down” and holding signs that read:
“Our QB. Our City. Our Future.”
One die-hard even climbed the Willis Tower waving a flag that read:
“Bagent > The Bag”
It racked up 8 million views in one afternoon.
Bigger Than Football — It’s Chicago
Tyson Bagent didn't just make a decision. He made a statement on what defines greatness:
“Chicago gave me everything — a chance, a platform, a purpose. I’m staying. And I’m not done fighting for this city.”
In a league full of mercenaries, Bagent became something rarer — a believer.
And with that, the Bears didn’t just keep their quarterback.
They became a family — with a leader who turned down millions to stay true to his roots.
Commanders' defense had 2 heroic stands, but it wasn't enough
MADRID – The Washington Commanders ’ 16-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 11 is just all-around bad news.
For starters, it means the Commanders now have eight losses this season, three more than they had all of last year, and are nearly guaranteed to finish this season with a losing record. Even if the team were to pull off a six-game winning streak to end the regular season, it likely won’t be enough to make the postseason.
Just like there is a game within the game, there are also finer takeaways from every overarching theme, and while the latest Washington loss is bad, there are parts that aren’t as much, and parts that are even worse.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Good: Goal Line Defense
While the Dolphins did score one touchdown, two other times they had the ball at the Commanders’ goal line and came away with nothing.
First, in the third quarter, with a 13-6 lead, the defense stood up against Miami, despite entering the game with the league’s 27th-ranked run defense. On the final try, however, the Dolphins attempted a pass that was broken up by Washington linebacker Bobby Wagner, protecting the lead and giving the ball back to the offense.
Then, in the fourth quarter and following a muffed punt turnover, Miami eventually put itself into a first-and-goal situation, and the Commanders' defense once again held firm.
First, on third down, running back De’Von Achane was stonewalled. Then, on fourth down, fellow back Ollie Gordon was hit and tackled in the backfield so quickly he went to the sideline yelling at his offensive line. In that situation, the game was tied at 13, and the defense made sure it stayed that way.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Bad: Decision-Making
Quarterback Marcus Mariota certainly isn’t solely to blame for the team’s sixth loss in a row, but there are things he’s going to wish he could do over again when he turns on the tape.
One of those situations came in the second quarter on a drive that eventually ended with a missed 51-yard field goal try by kicker Matt Gay.
Earlier in the drive, on a first-down play, Mariota was outside of the pocket with yards of fresh, green, Spanish grass ahead of him. We thought for sure he’d take advantage, but alas, he did not.
Instead, Mariota fired a pass into the end zone that was tightly contested by a Dolphins defender and fell to the field surface incomplete. Three snaps later, Gay would miss the first of two botched field goals.
Then, in overtime, Mariota targeted tight end Zach Ertz on a pass that was intercepted fairly easily. Whether he just didn’t see the defender there or it was something else, Mariota is going to want to kick himself when he has to watch that one again.
And it wasn’t just Mariota. There were several occasions where offensive play-calling was a bit suspect, or bland, and times when head coach Dan Quinn appeared content to let the clock run in favor of long field goal tries despite his kicker’s history of missing them.
All in all, just not a banner day for decision makers from Washington.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Ugly: Dropped Opportunities
To their credit, the Commanders’ defense did an overall solid job. While the Dolphins may not be a juggernaut in today’s NFL, anytime you can keep a team below 17 points, you’ve given yours a chance to win.
Still, cornerback Mike Sainristil’s dropped interception stands out as an opportunity missed that could have tipped the scales toward a Washington win instead of a loss. That alone isn’t enough to land here in this column, of course. Instead, that takes a play you can almost immediately connect to the eventual defeat.
With just over four minutes remaining in a tie game, Sainristil went back to return a punt and appeared to hesitate when deciding to let the kick hit the ground or field it. He eventually committed to fielding it, but by the time he did, he was left sprinting toward the ball, which then bounced off of him and was recovered by Miami in Washington territory.
We suppose here is where we could go with the ‘no harm, no foul’ theory, since the Dolphins squandered the opportunity, but for a young player who considers himself a playmaker and has so much promise, it was truly one of the more glaring shortfalls in this weekend’s loss.
'Fire Country's Diane Farr Teases the Chaos Ahead for Sharon and Manny After Vince's Death: "She Does Bad Things"
Sharon hasn't had a great season so far. Struggling with the painful grief of losing her husband, her journey to finding equilibrium hasn't been easy. In Season 4, Episode 5, we see her struggle with Manny stepping into Vince's shoes before Bode (Max Thieriot) reveals to her that the note found in Vince's guitar case wasn't actually a letter from a scorned lover, but her own mother.
We spoke with Diane Farr about these plot twists, and the actor gave us some clues as to where Sharon is heading next. She teased the upcoming turmoil between Sharon and Manny, which is not fully resolved after the most recent episode. She also discussed working closely with Alejandro to find the balance between the two characters and their new relationship. Teasing more appearances in Sheriff Country, she also breaks down the relationship between Sharon and her sister Mickey (Morena Baccarin). Finally, she gives us a look into what life will be like for Sharon when her mother (Christine Lahti) reappears in her life, and how her relationship with Vince's dad, Walter (Jeff Fahey), will play out later this season.
Diane Farr Reveals What It's Been Like Shooting 'Fire Country' Since Billy Burke's Exit
"I'm getting to do more grief than I imagined, which is wonderful."
DIANE FARR: Being on the show without Billy is different than I thought at first. I was sad, afraid. Losing Vince is like losing half of Sharon, and we have so few chances to see couples in the middle of a relationship. You know, all of our love stories are about finding a relationship, so it was really fun to honor what it looks like when you fight with your partner and you're disappointed and you're controlling and you're the problem, and sometimes you're not the problem. I really wasn't sure how it would go, and the writers have given me some beautiful things to explore. I'm getting to do more grief than I imagined, which is wonderful. I feel like we don't talk enough about grief and sadness and how long it goes on, and how fine people can seem and where relief work is, and then suddenly you're crying in the bathroom by yourself.
