Bears Re-Sign Former QB Nathan Peterman Amid Justin Fields Drama

Chicago didn't want to face the Chiefs with Tyson Bagent as backup.

Nathan Peterman is back with the Bears, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. His absence lasted less than 24 hours after Chicago waived the sixth-year veteran. 

Peterman was waived from the active 53-man roster on Wednesday, during a day filled with news and drama at Halas Hall. Perhaps the Bears intended to sign a different quarterback to back up Justin Fields. If so, that move doesn't appear to have worked out and Peterman was re-signed. 

Without Peterman, Chicago would have been left with undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent on the depth chart. Bagent was the Bears’ emergency third quarterback for their first two games of the 2023 season. Apparently, that’s not a situation the team wanted going into their Week 3 matchup with the Chiefs.

Nathan Peterman was waived and re-signed in less than 24 hours :: Scott Galvin/USA Today network

The Bears apparently cut Peterman on Wednesday in hopes of poaching a player from another team’s practice squad, according to Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. When they were unable to acquire that player, Peterman was re-signed.

Peterman is in his second season with the Bears. Last year, he appeared in three games and started one, completing 14 of 25 passes for 139 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.