Talks with Bagent cooled more than a month ago, but the Cardinals were among the teams that showed persistent interest during the pre-draft period, according to reports. Chicago’s asking price was viewed as steep, prompting Arizona to pivot toward identifying a draft‑ready starter rather than forcing a deal for a veteran.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted that the Cardinals and New York Jets are among the primary suitors for Simpson, while the Los Angeles Rams had shown interest before trading their No. 29 pick to Kansas City. With that move, the door opened for other teams to make bids for Simpson ahead of Arizona’s 34th overall selection.
If Simpson lands off the board before the Cardinals’ turn at 34, Arizona could revisit the possibility of acquiring Bagent, or even move to optimize a deal that aligns with their quarterback plan. The Jets, Rams, Steelers and others remain factors in how the early rounds unfold.
Bagent, now entering his fourth year, is a 26-year-old who went undrafted out of Shepherd in 2023 and has started in Chicago on a two-year, $10 million contract through 2026. He has a 66.4% career completion rate, a 2-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio, plus two rushing scores, and is viewed by the Bears as a valuable internal option as they emphasize developing through the draft.
Ultimately, the 2026 draft could intensify interest in Bagent if Simpson’s path to the league is crowded, or if Arizona decides to push for a trade by pairing draft capital with a veteran backup. Either way, Halas Hall’s phone line is likely to stay active as the draft unfolds.
