The Chicago Bears will be without quarterback Caleb Williams for at least one more game. Coach Ben Johnson told ESPN Chicago on Monday that Tyson Bagent “will be the guy” for Week 5’s rivalry matchup with the Green Bay Packers, setting him up for a second straight start after leading Chicago to a 23-12 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday.
Williams is still recovering from a hamstring strain suffered in the Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and is expected to miss his third consecutive game. In his absence, both Bagent and third-stringer Case Keenum have kept the offense moving, combining to help the Bears win back-to-back contests. Bagent had been the likely choice to start the first Williams-less game, but he spent much of Week 3 in the NFL’s concussion protocol, so Johnson turned to Keenum. Now that Bagent is cleared, he’ll run the offense until Williams is healthy again — Chicago gave him a two-year, $10 million extension in the offseason and views him as a top backup, so Johnson’s decision was unsurprising despite Keenum’s recent effectiveness.
Against the Jets, Bagent completed 25 of 34 passes for 268 yards, threw one interception and didn’t account for either touchdown; running back Kyle Monangai had both rushing scores. Johnson called Bagent’s outing “a little bit of a mixed bag,” but praised his command of the offense, the tempo he set in and out of the huddle, and how his leadership boosted teammates’ confidence.
Reports say Williams’ hamstring strain carries a three-to-four-week recovery window, so even though the team initially listed him as “week to week,” missing the NFC North showdown with Green Bay was always a real possibility. If the injury sidelines him for the full four weeks, he would also miss Week 6 at Atlanta and could be aiming for a return on Thursday Night Football in Week 7 against the New England Patriots.
Fan Take: This situation underscores how critical quarterback depth is in today’s NFL — a reliable backup can keep a team competitive and change the course of a season. It also puts a spotlight on roster decisions and injury management, making each game meaningful for playoff positioning and long-term personnel strategy.
Source: www.cbssports.com
