The Bears will be without Caleb Williams for a second straight game when they host the Jets in Week 4 at Soldier Field. Williams, who sustained a hamstring injury against the Vikings in Week 2, is out again as Chicago tries to build on its Monday night 27-7 rout of the Eagles and move to 3-1.
That leaves the Bears with a quarterback decision to sort through. Ben Johnson said he feels good about the whole room and made it clear he does not view this as a situation with a wrong answer. Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum are the options, and Johnson said the team is fortunate to have players it believes in while stressing that the decision is about giving the roster the best chance to win.
What it means for Chicago
Chicago’s offense showed what it can do in the Monday night win, but the injury changes the tone of this matchup. The Bears have a high-yardage offense going against a Jets defense that has been producing far fewer yards, so the quarterback call becomes the key storyline rather than a side note. Johnson said he is looking forward to seeing what the offense looks like on Sunday, which suggests the final choice will come down to who best fits the game plan against a third straight NFC North opponent for the Jets.
The Bears also have the benefit of continuity in the building. Johnson and Aaron Glenn both came to Chicago after leaving Detroit following the 2024 season, and that background adds another layer to a game with some familiarity on the sidelines. Still, the biggest issue is straightforward: Chicago has to manage a second game without Williams and keep its momentum going.
The Jets’ test on the road
The Jets enter Week 4 facing their third straight opponent from the NFC North, and the trip to Soldier Field brings another difficult matchup. With the Bears trying to protect home field and improve to 3-1, the quarterback situation is the obvious pivot point. If Bagent starts, it would be a chance to lean on a younger option. If Keenum gets the nod, Chicago would be going with a veteran who has seen plenty of NFL situations like this one.
Either way, the Bears are not hiding from the challenge. The injury is real, the timing is awkward, and the decision is now about which quarterback gives Chicago the cleanest path to another win.
