Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is withholding his starting quarterback decision for Sunday’s matchup against the New York Jets, weaponizing an injury to Caleb Williams to keep former Lions coordinator Aaron Glenn guessing, according to nbcsports.com. Williams is recovering from a Grade 2 hamstring strain sustained on September 20 against the Minnesota Vikings, leaving the team to split practice repetitions between backup Tyson Bagent and veteran Case Keenum.
Practice Repetitions Point to Tyson Bagent as Starter
Through two full practice days leading up to the Week 4 game, Tyson Bagent has taken the first-team reps at practice, nbcsports.com reported. This deployment strongly indicates Bagent will start in place of the injured Williams, who remains week-to-week and missed the team’s late afternoon walkthrough on Wednesday, according to chicagobears.com reports. Bagent earned the backup job following a strong relief appearance in Week 2 against the Vikings, where he entered in the fourth quarter and nearly engineered a comeback victory.
Case Keenum started the subsequent Monday night game against the Philadelphia Eagles because Bagent was sidelined in the concussion protocol during early week preparation. Keenum delivered a standout performance in the 27-7 victory, completing 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards, two touchdowns, and a 110.8 passer rating, while adding a rushing score without committing a turnover, as detailed by chicagobears.com. Johnson acknowledged that Keenum’s sharp execution and quick release—averaging 2.41 seconds to throw, according to NFL Next Gen Stats data cited by Sports Illustrated—will factor into the overall evaluation for the Jets game.
Bagent prioritizes brain health over playing
The quarterback room dynamics involve distinct career stages, with 38-year-old Keenum providing veteran stability and 26-year-old Bagent offering long-term upside since joining the roster as an undrafted rookie out of Shepherd University in 2023, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Bagent recently faced a difficult choice in reporting concussion symptoms prior to the Eagles game, noting to the Chicago Sun-Times that protecting his brain health took precedence over playing high-stakes football.
Despite missing a game for the first time since being selected by the Bears with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, Williams reportedly benefited from observing the operation from a different perspective. Johnson told chicagobears.com that watching Keenum run the offense gave the young quarterback a valuable big-picture lens on team preparation and veteran pocket management.
When did Caleb Williams get injured?
When did Caleb Williams suffer his hamstring injury?
Caleb Williams sustained a Grade 2 hamstring strain on September 20 during the game against the Minnesota Vikings, prompting coach Ben Johnson to list his status as week-to-week.
How did Case Keenum perform against the Philadelphia Eagles?
Case Keenum completed 70.6% of his passes (24 of 34) for 247 yards, two touchdowns, and a 110.8 passer rating, while also rushing for a touchdown in the Bears’ 27-7 victory.
What is Tyson Bagent’s background with the Chicago Bears?
Tyson Bagent joined the Bears as an undrafted rookie quarterback from Division II Shepherd University in 2023 and earned the backup role behind Caleb Williams.
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