Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has finalized the starting quarterback for Sunday's matchup against the New York Jets . While the starter remains unnamed, the decision comes as star player Caleb Williams recovers from a hamstring injury.
Case Keenum's 247-yard spark against Philadelphia
Veteran quarterback Case Keenum enters the conversation with significant momentum following a dominant performance against the Philadelphia Eagles. According to ESPN Chicago, Keenum completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding a 1-yard rushing score. This efficiency allowed the Chicago Bears to control the clock for nearly 37 minutes and secure 24 first downs.
For the 38-year-old Keenum, this recent success marks a sharp return to form. As the report says, this was his first regular-season action since December 24, 2023, when he started for Houston in a loss to Cleveland. Coach Ben Johnson has explicitly stated that Keenum's strong showing against Philadelphia is a factor in the current evaluation process.
Tyson Bagent's concussion clearance and the Caleb Williams void
The Chicago Bears are facing a critical talent gap as Caleb Williams, the team's most vital offensive asset, continues to deal with a hamstring injury. While Ben Johnson noted that the 24-year-old Williams is improving daily, the quarterback was absent from the team's Wednesday walkthrough , making his availability for the New York Jets game unlikely.
Tyson Bagent remains the primary alternative to Keenum, sitting as the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart. Bagent recently struggled in a relief appearance against the Vikings, completing only 5 of 9 passes for 54 yards. However, Bagent has officially cleared the NFL's concussion protocol as of Sunday and is expected to have no restrictions during practice this week.
If Bagent is named the starter,it would represent his first start in nearly three years, dating back to November 9, 2023. During his rookie campaign, Bagent appeared in five games and made four starts, recording 859 yards and three touchdowns against six interceptions.
Braxton Jones' knee injury and the left tackle shuffle
The Chicago Bears' offensive line is facing its own crisis with left tackle Braxton Jones listed as week-to-week due to a knee injury sustained during the Eagles game. This injury forces Ben Johnson to evaluate several replacements to protect whoever starts at quarterback on Sunday.
Potential candidates to fill the void at left tackle include Theo Benedet, Jordan McFadden, and Joe Thuney. Additionally, the Bears are monitoring the recovery of Ozzy Trapilo, who is nearing a return from a patellar tendon injury, thouugh Johnson has not confirmed if Trapilo will be active this week.
The mystery of the 'already made' decision
Head coach Ben Johnson has created a tactical enigma by announcing that the starting direction is set while refusing to name the player. This secrecy leaves several questions unanswered: Is the Bears' coaching staff attempting to force the New York Jets to prepare for multiple offensive looks, or is the decision based on a specific matchup advantage that they wish to keep hidden?
Furthermore, the source provides the perspective of the coaching staff and players—such as running back D'Andre Swift, who expressed total confidence in the QB room—but does not include comments from the quarterbacks themselves regarding their readiness. With the Chicago Bears holding a 2-1 record and the New York Jets sitting at 1-2, the outcome of this quarterback gamble could dictate the early-season trajectory for both franchises.
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