After Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings left both Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent dealing with injuries, the Chicago Bears enter Week 3 with uncertainty over which quarterback will suit up for Monday night’s matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Bears have not ruled out either Williams or Bagent for Monday night’s game, leaving the team with several possibilities to sort through as the week progresses.
Ben Johnson expressed confidence in the Bears’ quarterback room when addressing
the media on Wednesday.
“We’re fortunate here, we got three guys that can play ball in this league, that have won games in this league,” Johnson said. “Ryan [Poles] has constructed the room in a way that we feel really good about whoever ends up playing for us. That showed in the preseason, it shows up in practice every single day. We’ll let this thing play out, and we’ll go from there.”
Bagent’s status will depend on his progress through the NFL’s concussion protocol, while the Bears continue to monitor Williams’ hamstring injury ahead of Monday night. If neither quarterback is cleared to play, the Bears would turn to their veteran third option, Case Keenum.
Keenum was the only quarterback who practiced Wednesday in preparation to start if both Williams and Bagent are ruled out.
Johnson pointed to the veteran quarterback’s experience as one of his biggest strengths that can be an advantage to them on Monday night.
“He’s at the point of his career where he’s like another coach in a lot of ways. He’s seen a ton, he knows what good football looks like … he’s a key part of what we do,” Johnson said.
Despite being in the later stages of his career, Keenum has the ability to play at a high level and has a strong connection with his teammates.
“He’s got a knack. His teammates gravitate to him … he’s up there in years a little, but that experience has paid off for him,” Johnson stated. “He might be a step slower than he was when he first entered the league, and yet his mind’s going so fast, it helps catch him on up. He’s playing as good of football as he probably has his whole career is what he’d tell you.”
As for Williams, Johnson described the quarterback not practicing as “foreign,” but noted that he has remained involved in the team’s preparation despite being unable to practice.
“Caleb’s out there in walk-through, he’s actively out involved as well … he’s still being a great supporter in the quarterback room, walk-through right now, making sure he’s contributing ideas for what we want to get done,” Johnson said.
Regardless of who starts, the Bears’ preparation process remains the same. Johnson emphasized that the uncertainty at quarterback will not change how the team approaches its game plan or preparation throughout the week.
“It’s the same thing. We’re going to look for plays that we feel like might have a chance to get guys open, create some space in the passing game, running lanes in the running game,” Johnson explained. “It’s not just on one player, it never is. We got ten other guys out there with our quarterback. They got to help champion the cause and carry their weight as well. As far as I’m concerned, not a whole lot changes from a coaching perspective. We’re going to go out there and come up with as good of a game plan as best we possibly can, teach it as well as we possibly can, and let’s have a great week of practice.”
With Monday night approaching, the Bears will continue to monitor both Williams and Bagent throughout the week before making a final decision at quarterback. Until then, Keenum remains prepared to step in if needed, while the rest of the team continues on course with its preparation for the Eagles.
