Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is keeping his starting quarterback plans under wraps ahead of Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, weighing Tyson Bagent’s return from the concussion protocol against Case Keenum’s stellar performance in a Monday night win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Case Keenum Shines on Monday Night
With starting quarterback Caleb Williams sidelined by a right hamstring injury suffered on September 20 against the Minnesota Vikings, the Chicago Bears turned to veteran backup Case Keenum for a Monday Night Football matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 38-year-old quarterback delivered a 27-7 victory at Soldier Field.
Keenum completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards, tossing two touchdown passes and rushing for another score on a one-yard sneak in the fourth quarter. He finished with a 110.8 passer rating, was not sacked, and committed no turnovers. He played really decisive football, and it was much needed, too,
Bears coach Ben Johnson said. According to NFL Next Gen Stats data highlighted in sports reporting, Keenum averaged just 2.41 seconds to get the ball out, throwing a full second faster than Williams’ average across the first two games of the season.
“That group can get after the quarterback. They have a really talented front. He got pressured a few times and he was able to get rid of the ball. And he trusted that his guys were going to be where they’re supposed to be. He had a great grasp of the game plan, and I think once again that week of preparation really played into his confidence going into that game.”
Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears head coach, via ChicagoBears.com
Tyson Bagent Returns to Practice
While Keenum commanded the offense on Monday night, backup quarterback Tyson Bagent missed that opportunity after landing in the NFL concussion protocol. Bagent had briefly entered the Week 2 game against the Vikings in the fourth quarter following Williams’ injury, completing 5 of 9 passes for 54 yards.
Bagent was cleared from the protocol by Sunday, positioning him to return to full practice participation ahead of the Week 4 matchup. Reflecting on the timing of his injury, Bagent noted the difficulty of stepping aside while knowing a starting opportunity was at hand.
Tyson Bagent made one of the most difficult decisions of his career last week when he told the team about his concussion symptoms, knowing full well what it would cost.
Bagent entered the season as the team’s firm No. 2 quarterback behind Williams, backed by a two-year contract extension signed last season. Reports indicate that Bagent took the first-team reps during practice early in the week, signaling that the coaching staff is closely evaluating him for the starting nod against the Jets.
Ben Johnson Hides Quarterback Choice
Ben Johnson has declined to name his starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, choosing instead to keep his preparations quiet to keep the opponent in the dark. The Bears coach acknowledged that Keenum’s performance against Philadelphia forms part of the evaluation, alongside the team’s long-term view of the roster.
“Whoever we feel like gives us the best chance to win.”
Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears head coach
Johnson also noted that the team is looking at everything and that because Keenum played really well the other night, that plays a part of the evaluation.
The direction's already been made, so we'll be in good shape for Sunday,
Johnson told reporters.
As Chicago prepares to face New York, the coaching staff is balancing multiple roster evaluations, including sorting out their plans at left tackle where Braxton Jones is week to week with a knee injury after getting hurt against the Eagles.
