Tyson Bagent is likely to start for the Chicago Bears against the New York Jets on Sunday, with Caleb Williams still out and the quarterback picture shifting again after Case Keenum’s Week 3 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
According to Ian Rapoport, Bagent took the majority of the first-team reps at practice this week, and while Ben Johnson has not officially named a starter, the expectation is that the 26-year-old will begin the game at Soldier Field at 1 p.m. ET.
Why Bagent appears to have the edge
The main reason is simple: Bagent spent the week getting the work with the first unit. That usually tells you a lot in a situation like this, especially when the Bears are preparing for a game that comes after a change in rhythm at quarterback.
Rapoport also noted that Johnson has not shut the door on Case Keenum, who made the most of his opportunity in Week 3, but the direction still appears to be Bagent. Johnson had previously made it clear that Bagent won the backup job out of camp, and that the Bears believe in him.
That matters because this is not being framed as a random shuffle. Bagent is being backed as a player Chicago trust to take the offense forward, and his status as the backup behind Williams at the start of the week is now likely to turn into the first start.
What it means for the Bears
For the Bears, the bigger issue is continuity. Caleb Williams is out with a hamstring injury, so the offense is already working around a major absence. Now Chicago may be asking Bagent to step in after spending most of the week in concussion protocol, which makes his readiness an important part of the story.
Bagent’s last reported start came on Nov. 9, 2023, in his rookie year. This would be the 13th career game for the 26-year-old, who has completed 104 of 158 passes for 65.8 percent, 971 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions, while adding 109 yards on 31 rushing attempts. He has a 2-2 QB record and four career starts.
Chicago enter the matchup at 2-1, and the Jets are 1-2, but the Bears’ challenge is less about record and more about settling on the right quarterback plan. Keenum’s strong showing against the Eagles created uncertainty, yet all signs now point to Bagent getting the nod. The next answer will come on Sunday, when the Bears and the Jets meet in Chicago.
