Bears Coach Ben Johnson Declines to Name Starting QB for Jets Matchup

Coach Ben Johnson will wait until Sunday to announce if Case Keenum or Tyson Bagent will start against the Jets as Caleb Williams remains sidelined.

Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson declined to name a starting quarterback for Sunday’s Week 4 matchup against the New York Jets. While Caleb Williams is ruled out for a second consecutive game due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain, both Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent took full team repetitions during practice this week. Johnson stated on Friday that the final decision will be revealed on the day of the game.

Keenum led Chicago to a 27-7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles last Monday in his first start in 1,009 days. During that win, he completed three touchdown passes and recorded 247 yards without committing a turnover or suffering a sack. Bagent served as the backup during the Eagles game, having cleared concussion protocol just one day prior to kickoff.

Bagent was designated as the team's No. 2 quarterback at the conclusion of training camp, though his last start occurred in Week 10 of the 2023 season during a 16-13 win against the Carolina Panthers. Johnson noted that Keenum’s recent performance will be a factor in the evaluation, citing the possibility of the team sticking with the "hot hand" for the upcoming contest.