Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is keeping his starting quarterback decision under wraps for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets at Soldier Field. With Caleb Williams ruled out due to a hamstring injury, Johnson weighs whether to start veteran Case Keenum after a dominant Monday night performance or return to primary backup Tyson Bagent.
Ben Johnson Keeps Starting Quarterback Choice Secret Ahead of Jets Matchup
As the Chicago Bears prepare to face the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon, head coach Ben Johnson has successfully kept his plans for the most important position on the field entirely confidential. While Johnson ruled out Caleb Williams for a second consecutive week as the young quarterback continues to recover from a Grade 2 hamstring injury sustained in a Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the identity of Sunday’s starting signal-caller remains unannounced.
The uncertainty has become a strategic advantage for the coaching staff as they prepare for a reunion with former Lions coordinator Aaron Glenn and the Jets. According to reports from practice, Tyson Bagent has taken the first-team reps during the week, but Johnson insists that the final decision rests on multiple factors, including the concept of the hot hand and a full body of work.
As the 2026 NFL season enters October, the 2-1 Bears find themselves evaluating a quarterback room that has generated significant praise across the organization. The team will host the 1-2 New York Jets at Soldier Field, with DraftKings Sportsbook listing Chicago as 3.5-point home favorites following the announcement that Williams will miss his second straight start.
There is such a thing as playing the hot hand — that is real, and we’re certainly taking that into consideration. And yet, there’s a body of work that goes into it as well. So, there’s a lot of factors at play. We certainly have talked about it as a coaching staff. Honestly, it’s split — you just ask each coach one-on-one what they think, it’s split.
Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears Head Coach
Case Keenum Shines on Monday Night After a Long Wait
The conversation around the starting job exploded after 38-year-old journeyman Case Keenum stepped onto the field for his first regular-season action in more than 1,000 days. Thrust into the starting role for Monday Night Football
against the Philadelphia Eagles because Bagent was still navigating the league’s concussion protocol, Keenum delivered a masterclass in efficiency.
He completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards, threw two touchdown passes, and added a 1-yard rushing score in a resounding 27-7 victory over the Eagles on September 28. Sports Illustrated reports Keenum got the ball out with an average time to throw of just 2.41 seconds, showcasing the quick recognition and veteran patience that allowed the Bears to dictate the tempo and control the clock for almost 37 minutes.
Prior to Monday night, Keenum had not attempted a regular-season pass since December 24, 2023, when he started for Houston in a 36-22 loss to Cleveland. His stellar outing against Philadelphia earned widespread acclaim, including a masterclass designation from analyst Patrick Mannelly and glowing remarks from running back D’Andre Swift, who noted the positive energy Keenum brought throughout the week.
Tyson Bagent Clears Concussion Protocol and Ready For Any Role
While Keenum commanded the offense on Monday, Tyson Bagent faced a grueling personal choice the week prior. Knowing it would cost him a prime-time start, the 26-year-old backup reported his concussion symptoms to the medical staff following the Week 2 loss to Minnesota, where he had briefly replaced Williams and completed 5 of 9 passes for 54 yards.
Now fully symptom-free and cleared from the protocol, Bagent has drawn praise from coaches and teammates alike for his deep understanding of the playbook and his professional approach. Offensive coordinator Press Taylor noted that Bagent is one of the most locked in people I’ve ever been around
and highlighted his impressive preseason passer ratings of 119.9 in 2024, 106.6 in 2025, and 119.3 in 2026. Bagent, an undrafted rookie out of Division II Shepherd University in 2023 who went 2-2 in four starts during his debut season while subbing for Justin Fields, remains under contract through the end of the 2027 season.
Obviously, I would like everything that the football world can offer me, but then there’s also the fact that I am from Shepherd University, so I have absolutely zero ego in this. And nobody is a bigger cheerleader and fan of Case Keenum than I am. I think he’s the epitome of what I believe a quarterback is supposed to be, so it was fun to watch him play.
Tyson Bagent, Chicago Bears Quarterback
Roster Questions Linger Around Running Back D’Andre Swift and the Offensive Line
Beyond the quarterback puzzle, the Bears monitored running back D’Andre Swift, who sat out Thursday’s practice due to a knee injury resulting from the short week following the Monday night matchup. Johnson expressed optimism, and Swift participated fully in Friday’s practice without carrying an injury designation into the weekend.
Meanwhile, the coaching staff is also sorting out protection adjustments at left tackle. Ben Johnson and the Bears have utilized various options across the line, including placing Joe Thuney into different assignments as part of their depth management at Halas Hall.
As Sunday approaches, the team’s third-string quarterback Case Keenum, backup Tyson Bagent, and the entire Halas Hall staff remain focused on securing another victory. Whether Johnson ultimately opts for the veteran hand of Keenum or turns back to the developmental upside of Bagent, the team enters October with complete confidence in whoever takes the first snap against the Jets.