Quarterback Case Keenum made a wonderful memory for himself and his family while also picking up a critical win the for the Chicago Bears over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football in Week 3, so why not keep the good vibes going?
Caleb Williams is highly unlikely to return for the team's Week 4 matchup against the New York Jets due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain, which leaves head coach Ben Johnson with a decision under center: bring Keenum back for an encore performance after a stellar showing against Philadelphia, or roll with Tyson Bagent.
Johnson addressed that choice following the game on Monday night
Ben Johnson on who next week's starter could be:
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) September 29, 2026
"We'll have a discussion as a coaching staff and we'll see where we need to go from here but I said it last week and I'll say it again: There was a reason why Tyson ended training camp as our No. 2 quarterback."
“We’ll have a discussion as a coaching staff and we’ll see where we need to go from here, but I said it last week and I’ll say it again: There was a reason why Tyson ended training camp as our No. 2 quarterback,” Johnson told reporters.
Bears can rely on Case Keenum's hot hand, transition to Tyson Bagent at any point if necessary
The choice is actually pretty simple, and while it might sound counter-intuitive to go with the elder of two quarterbacks now that Bagent has cleared the concussion protocol and is fully healthy again, there is something to be said for the concept of momentum and the feelings in the locker room.
Bears players notoriously love Bagent, so flipping back to the team's original QB2 with Williams out will probably go over just fine. But Keenum captured something on Monday night, an energy of sorts that was contagious.
Wide receiver Luther Burden had by far the best game of his season. The defense played inspired football, forcing three turnovers and double-digit penalties by the Eagles offense. And Keenum finished the day 24-of-34 for 247 passing yards and two TDs while also running for a score.
Bagent is quite accustomed to playing second fiddle under center. Save for four starts in 2023 while replacing an injured Justin Fields, being a backup QB has been Bagent's entire NFL career to this point.
He isn't going anywhere after inking a two-year deal worth $10 million in the offseason that runs through 2027 -- at least not until the Bears decide to trade him, which could make considerable sense this offseason or ahead of next year's trade deadline.
Bagent also isn't going to be a problem in the locker room due to an attitude about not getting the start. He was healthy enough to go in Week 3 after clearing the protocol the day before, but Johnson stayed with Keenum because he'd game-planned for him and given him all the first-team reps in practice.
Johnson does not necessarily have to do so again this week. But it would make sense to let the team ride this current Keenum wave for as long as it lasts. And when it washes up on shore in a game or two, Bagent will still be there, ready and willing to take the reins until Williams returns.
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