Bears coach Ben Johnson is
considering his options at quarterback for matchup with the Jets
[October 01, 2026]
By JAY COHEN
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson likes his
three quarterbacks. He has been pretty clear on that point for a
while.
As far as who is going to start on Sunday, well, he isn't willing to
share that information just yet.
“Yeah, we got three guys, and we’ll kind of … we’ll work through the
week and see where they’re at,” Johnson said Wednesday.
With Caleb Williams sidelined by a right hamstring injury, Case
Keenum led Chicago to an impressive 27-7 victory over the
Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. Keenum passed for 247 yards and
two touchdowns, and he also scored on a 1-yard sneak in the fourth
quarter.
Tyson Bagent is considered the No. 2 quarterback behind Williams,
but he wasn't able to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol until
Sunday. It looks as if Bagent will have no restrictions this week as
Chicago (2-1) prepares for its home game against the New York Jets
(1-2).
Williams got hurt in the fourth quarter of a 9-3 loss to Minnesota
on Sept. 20.
“He’s getting better every single day,” Johnson said of Williams.
“He will not be out there at walk-through today, though.”
The 24-year-old Williams is the team's most important player, and
the Bears likely will be careful with the timeline for his return.
That means the choice for the Jets game likely comes down to Keenum
or Bagent.
Asked for the factors being considered when it comes to the starting
quarterback, Johnson responded: “Whoever we feel like gives us the
best chance to win.” But he acknowledged that Keenum's performance
against Philly is part of the equation.
“We’re looking at everything, and so he played really well the other
night,” he said. “Sure, that plays a part of the evaluation.”
The 38-year-old Keenum was 24-for-34 passing in his first
regular-season action since he started for Houston in a 36-22 loss
to Cleveland on Dec. 24, 2023. With Keenum efficiently running the
offense, Chicago finished with 24 first downs and had the ball for
almost 37 minutes.
[to top of second column] |
Chicago Bears quarterback Case Keenum celebrates the team's win
after an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in
Chicago, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Bagent was 5 for 9 for 54 yards after he replaced
Williams against the Vikings. Bagent made four starts while
appearing in five games as a rookie in 2023, passing for 859 yards
and three touchdowns with six interceptions.
“Whoever they put out there we have the utmost belief that they’re
going to be able to get the job done,” Bears running back D’Andre
Swift said.
Left tackle is another question for the Bears
Johnson and the Bears also have to sort out their plans at left
tackle. Braxton Jones is week to week with a knee injury after he
got hurt against the Eagles.
Theo Benedet could replace Jones against the Jets, and Johnson
mentioned Jordan McFadden and Joe Thuney as two more options at that
position. Ozzy Trapilo also is nearing a return from a patellar
tendon injury.
“He’s getting closer,” Johnson said of Trapilo. “I don’t know if
this will be the week or not. Like I said, he’s part of that mix
where we’re talking about guys that we got to evaluate over the
course of the week.”
Gordon starts his practice window
Defensive back Kyler Gordon started a 21-day practice window after
opening the season on the physically unable to perform list. Gordon
is coming back from a calf injury.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved
 |
