Full Breakdown
Bears Face Quarterback Decision Ahead of Week 4 Clash with the Jets
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Chicago head coach Ben Johnson must choose a starter for the Bears’ Week 4 home game against the New York Jets. The options are 38-year-old veteran Case Keenum, who delivered a 27–7 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on September 28 2026, and 26-year-old backup Tyson Bagent, who cleared concussion protocol after being sidelined the previous week. Starting quarterback Caleb Williams remains out with a Grade 2 hamstring strain.
Background & Context
- Injury cascade – Williams suffered a hamstring strain in Week 2, prompting the Bears to turn to Bagent, who then incurred a concussion. Bagent’s recovery left Keenum, the third-string quarterback, as the only fully prepared option for the Eagles matchup.
- Keenum’s performance – In his first regular-season start in 1,009 days, Keenum completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards, two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown, posting a 110.8 passer rating and a perfect 11-for-11 record on blitz plays.
- Bagent’s status – Bagent has a two-year, $10 million contract extension, making him one of the higher-paid backups. He logged 971 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions over 13 career games before the season.
Data & Statistics
| Metric | Case Keenum (Week 3) | Tyson Bagent (career) |
|---|---|---|
| Passing attempts | 34 | 158 |
| Completion % | 71 % | 65 % |
| Passing yards | 247 | 971 |
| TD-INT ratio | 2-0 | 3-6 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 | 0 |
| Contract | – | $10 million, two-year extension |
Official Statements & Responses
- “It’s all about Case Keenum and what he was able to do here tonight,” Johnson said after the Eagles win.
- “We’ll have a discussion as a coaching staff and we’ll see where we need to go from here,” he added, noting the decision remains internal.
Criticism & Opposition
Former Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long criticized keeping Keenum as starter, saying, “You have to think it sends the wrong message to a young man who just signed a couple-year deal with the Bears to be the backup.” Long argues the team should honor Bagent’s contract and role rather than default to the “hot hand” performance.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Practice reps – NBC Sports reported Bagent received first-team reps this week, suggesting he is the likely starter, while other outlets note the Bears have kept the quarterback decision “very close to the vest.”
- Williams’ timeline – Some analysts suggest Williams could return sooner than the projected three-to-four-week timeline, but the Bears have not indicated any change to his status.
What’s Next
The Bears will announce their starter on Sunday before kickoff against the Jets. The choice will shape the quarterback hierarchy for the remainder of the season, especially if Williams remains sidelined.