Former Bears QB Shines in UFL Debut with Savage Trash Talk

Austin Reed's stellar performance and epic clapback highlight his potential to earn an NFL opportunity.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 12:38pm

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Former Chicago Bears quarterback Austin Reed made a splash in his United Football League debut, throwing for 376 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead the Dallas Renegades to a 36-17 victory over the Houston Gamblers. Reed's dominant performance included a savage moment of trash talk late in the game, where he reminded a Gamblers defender that his team had already given up 33 points despite the lone sack.

Why it matters

Reed's UFL debut showcases the talent that made him an intriguing undrafted free agent signing for the Bears, who have developed a knack for finding quality backup quarterback options. His strong play and confident trash talk could earn him another shot at the NFL, where UFL alumni have found success as backups and spot starters.

The details

After being waived by the Bears in 2025, Austin Reed joined the Dallas Renegades of the United Football League. In his debut, the former Western Kentucky star put on a show, throwing for 376 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead Dallas to an easy win over Houston. Late in the 3rd quarter, with the game already well in hand, Gamblers defensive end Malik Fisher managed to sack Reed. Fisher then started talking trash, to which Reed calmly responded by reminding him that his defense had already given up 33 points on the day.

  • On March 29, 2026, Austin Reed made his UFL debut for the Dallas Renegades.

The players

Austin Reed

A former undrafted free agent quarterback who spent time on the Chicago Bears' practice squad before joining the United Football League's Dallas Renegades, where he had a standout debut performance.

Malik Fisher

A defensive end for the Houston Gamblers who sacked Austin Reed late in the game and then started talking trash, only to be shut down by Reed's savage clapback.

Dallas Renegades

The United Football League franchise that signed Austin Reed and gave him the opportunity to showcase his talents in his debut game.

Houston Gamblers

The opposing team that Austin Reed and the Dallas Renegades defeated 36-17 in the UFL season opener.

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What’s next

If Reed can maintain his strong play throughout the UFL season, he will likely earn an opportunity to return to the NFL as a backup quarterback, where he could earn a significant pay increase over his current UFL salary.

The takeaway

Austin Reed's dominant UFL debut, capped by his savage trash talk, shows that he still has the potential to earn an NFL opportunity after being waived by the Chicago Bears. His performance highlights the Bears' ability to identify talented backup quarterback options, and Reed's confidence and skill could make him an attractive option for NFL teams seeking QB depth.