Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson declined again Wednesday to name a starting quarterback for Sunday’s home game against the New York Jets, saying the job will go to the player who gives the team its best chance to win.
Caleb Williams will not take part in the team’s walkthrough on Wednesday as he continues to recover from a Grade 2 right hamstring strain suffered late in the fourth quarter of a 9-3 loss to Minnesota on Sept. 20. Johnson said the third-year quarterback’s hamstring is “getting better every single day” and that Williams has not been ruled out for the Week 4 matchup at Soldier Field.
Case Keenum started Monday night and led Chicago to a 27-7 victory over previously unbeaten Philadelphia. Tyson Bagent, who missed early Week 3 practices while in concussion protocol, has been cleared and is available.
Johnson said the choice will be “whoever we think gives us the best chance to win” and that he has faith in all three options.
“It’s not hard [for me at all],” Johnson said. “I feel really good about all three quarterbacks in that room. I know all three of them can win games for us.”
Williams has started every regular-season and playoff game since the Bears selected him first overall in 2024. In two games this season he completed 65.5 percent of his passes for 407 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He added 15 carries for 107 yards and two rushing scores.
Doctors typically estimate a three-to-four-week recovery for a Grade 2 hamstring strain. The Bears have not placed Williams on injured reserve, which would require him to miss at least four games, and have described him as a faster-than-average healer.
Keenum, 38, made his first regular-season start since Dec. 24, 2023. He completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles, added a one-yard rushing touchdown, and posted a 110.8 passer rating. Chicago’s defense held Philadelphia to 153 passing yards and forced three turnovers.
Bagent signed a two-year, $10 million extension in 2025. He last started in 2023, when he filled in for four games. He cleared the five-step concussion protocol Sunday after participating fully in Saturday’s practice.
The Bears are 2-1 and sit third in the NFC North behind Minnesota (3-0) and Detroit (2-1). They rank first in the NFL in rushing yards per game at 184.3 and 15th in passing yards per game at 236.0. After a 59-37 win at Carolina in Week 1 and the low-scoring loss to the Vikings, the Monday night blowout of the Eagles marked their most complete performance of the season.
New York is 1-2 after a 31-24 loss at Detroit. The Jets allow 87.3 rushing yards per game, seventh-fewest in the league. Running back Breece Hall is dealing with a quad injury listed as week-to-week.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET Sunday at Soldier Field. Johnson is scheduled to speak with reporters again Friday, when Chicago may announce its starter or leave the decision until closer to game time.
The Bears next play at Green Bay on Oct. 11 and at Atlanta on Oct. 18. A three-week absence for Williams would keep him out of those games as well.
Chicago’s offense has emphasized the run with D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. Receiver Kalif Raymond leads the team with 214 receiving yards on 19 catches.
Johnson’s refusal to name a starter keeps both Keenum’s hot hand and Bagent’s familiarity with the offense in play while Williams works toward a possible return.
The Bears improved to 2-1 without their franchise quarterback on the field Monday. How they handle the next two weeks will shape their early-season standing in a competitive division.
