The Chicago Bears locked Tyson Bagent in as Caleb Williams’ top backup on a two-year, $10 million pact that can escalate to $16 million via incentives, a signal the team expects a long-season grind with solid quarterback depth through 2027. The move keeps a familiar face in the building and preserves Williams’ growth arc behind a trusted pro who has already spent two seasons in Chicago.

Bagent’s path reads like a football fairy tale: Shepherd product, Division II star, undrafted in 2023, yet he has carved a role with nine NFL games and a four-start stint. This summer, he stole the show in a 38-0 win over the Bills, tossing for 196 yards and a TD on 13-of-22, plus a nine-yard run. Earlier, he piled up 103 preseason yards in the opener with Miami. His candid remarks about banking reps and staying ready underscore the practicality of Chicago’s plan: Williams anchors, Bagent provides depth and possibility if Williams slips.

The larger backdrop centers on Williams’ upward trajectory in year two under new coordinator Ben Johnson, with the organization hoping for a leap that could minimize Bagent’s chances for meaningful action. The contract’s structure implies discipline and readiness rather than an explicit backup ceiling. For fantasy managers, the dynamic matters: Bagent is a valuable insurance policy whose upside hinges on Williams’ development and health as Chicago negotiates a demanding schedule with a burgeoning offense.

Jacksonville wrapped its final home practice of the preseason with three clear takeaways for fantasy managers. The plan ahead includes a Miami joint practice, then a preseason finale with the Dolphins, and ongoing workload management for key pieces. Travon Walker popped with multiple sacks and disruptive inner-front movement, signaling a notable pass-rush uptick for the Jaguars’ defense. Emmanuel Ogbah and a rotating group of pass-rushers contributed, reinforcing ceiling play for the defense in favorable matchups.

Offensively, Hunter Long flashed in the passing game, while the TE2 role behind Brenton Strange remains a true competition, with Mundt in the mix as a blocker-first option. The right-side offensive line continues to rotate guards and tackles—likely Edoga, Mekari, or Harrison—before Week 1. These developments crimp risk slightly for Jacksonville’s in-week fantasy outputs while boosting the defense’s upside and creating streaming TE and DL opportunities in certain weeks.

Overall, the Jaguars appear poised for a pressure-heavy approach that could generate sack upside in favorable packages, while the Miami exposure will be a key early-season gauge for both teams’ fantasy relevance. Owners should monitor Walker’s workload, Ogbah’s continued impact, and the TE2 battle as Week 1 approaches, keeping a flexible roster tied to matchup-driven decisions.

Jack Jones is adjusting to a pressed-at-the-line technique with the Miami Dolphins, a shift he says is expanding his toolbox after getting roasted by Amon-Ra St. Brown in the prior game. He’s working to trust the technique, improve his feet, and become more aggressive with his hands. An expected competition for a starting job intensified when Ethan Bonner was sidelined by a hamstring issue, opening more reps for Jones and teammates.

St. Brown’s standout tape underscores the challenge: he’s a two-time All-Pro and a marquee weapon, prompting Miami to lean into press coverage and a broader toolbox. Storm Duck’s role and injuries in the secondary loom large as the defense bends to new instructions, with Jones’ progress carrying real fantasy impact for IDP managers and bets on the Dolphins’ corner depth this season.

Judon’s Dolphins debut electrified the practice, flashing quick wins on back-to-back reps and showing edge-setting work that Dolphins fans hope will anchor the pass rush this preseason. Robinson followed with a sack-and-tipped-ball sequence, underscoring Miami’s defensive depth. Darren Waller returned from retirement but did not participate in team drills, signaling a careful ramp. Tyreek Hill sat out the main drills, while Tua Tagovailoa’s misfire to Waddle yielded a near-INT as Cam Smith and Jack Jones closed the window. The throw of the day came from Ewers to Henning on a deep corner route, a sign of the connect-the-dots potential between Ewers, Henning and the receiving group.

Yahoo Sports Network debuts August 20, delivering 60+ hours of original programming weekly across NFL, NBA, MLB and combat sports, with 24/7 expert commentary from Yahoo Sports and partners. The FAST channel, run by C15 Studio, will stream on LG Channels and Sling Freestream now and roll out on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Fire TV, Fubo, Plex, Prime Video and The Roku Channel in short order, plus yahoosports.tv as a central video hub.

First-week lineup includes The Ariel Helwani Show, Yahoo Sports Daily, Inside Coverage, Yahoo Fantasy Forecast and The Kevin O’Connor Show, plus Football 301, Good Word with Goodwill and more. The slate blends news, previews and fantasy-focused content, with rookies to draft and forward-looking bets. The schedule features daily mornings, college football talk, NFL insider takes, MMA chats, and Vegas-broadcasts from The Venetian, creating a one-stop shop for fans and fantasy players.

In fantasy terms, the network’s emphasis on rookies, offseason moves and betting angles could shift early-round projections and roster stashing strategies. With 24/7 coverage and live programming, fantasy managers gain timely context on league-wide trends, injury updates and depth-chart developments that can influence waiver-clicks, lineup decisions and preseason-to-regular-season transitions.