Williams sidelined; decision still pending
Caleb Williams has been ruled out for a second straight week with a hamstring injury, leaving the Chicago Bears' quarterback spot unsettled heading into Sunday’s game against the New York Jets. Ben Johnson declined to reveal his choice two days before kickoff, saying plainly, "We'll find out on Sunday."
Johnson added the team has settled on "a direction" for the game plan, and that both Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent are prepared to step in. "I know both of them are well prepared to play and win a game for us," he said.
Keenum's recent start vs. Bagent's rising reps
Case Keenum enters the conversation off a commanding performance Monday night, when he completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, and added his first rushing touchdown since 2019 in a 27-7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. That clean outing has given Keenum momentum in the short-term starter debate.
At the same time, Tyson Bagent has re-emerged as a viable option. Bagent missed much of last week while in concussion protocol but has since returned to full participation; Johnson has described him as "one of the best 32" quarterbacks in the NFL. The coaching staff increased Bagent's reps in practice after he had been largely limited before last week's game, and this week he received first-team reps over Keenum.
Bagent says he is not pushing to leapfrog Keenum following the veteran’s strong showing. He emphasized his lack of ego and support for Keenum, calling himself a big cheerleader for the quarterback already in the lineup.
Outside reads and remaining uncertainty
Outside speculation about who will start has grown louder. Yardbarker reported that Johnson is keeping the decision close and not sharing his pick publicly in the days before kickoff. Yahoo! News characterized the situation as leaning toward Bagent now that he has cleared concussion protocol, noting perceived momentum for the younger passer.
Those outside takes underscore the thin margin for the Bears' decision-makers: Keenum has the recent-game performance and experience, while Bagent has pushed in practice and reclaimed top reps after clearing protocol. With Williams unavailable and Johnson withholding a formal announcement, the Chicago quarterback call remains one of the more watchable storylines as Sunday's game approaches.
