The Chicago Bears are confronting a deepening quarterback crisis ahead of their Week 3 primetime matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, as backup Tyson Bagent has entered the NFL's concussion protocol, according to NFL Network. The development leaves the team uncertain about who will line up under center on Monday Night Football, with both Bagent and injured starter Caleb Williams facing doubts about their availability.
Williams, who suffered a hamstring injury during the Bears' rainy 9-3 home-opening loss to the Minnesota Vikings, has not been entirely ruled out by head coach Ben Johnson. However, Johnson described the franchise quarterback as week-to-week during his initial news conference, acknowledging that Williams is «working through every avenue that he's got available to get back on track here.» The coach added, «We'll see what that looks like.»
Bagent, who relieved Williams at the very end of Sunday's loss, finished the game completing 5 of 9 passes for 54 yards. He was sacked on the final play by Vikings edge rusher Dallas Turner, ending a potential game-winning touchdown attempt. It remains unclear exactly when Bagent sustained the concussion, though the final play — when he hit the ground hard on the Turner sack — is a likely candidate. He now must clear the NFL's multi-step concussion protocol before he can return to practice or play.
If neither Williams nor Bagent is available, the Bears would turn to veteran Case Keenum, who would be making his first NFL start since 2023. Keenum, a well-traveled journeyman, has appeared in 80 career games with 66 starts. He last saw regular-season action with the Houston Texans in 2023, going 1-1 in two starts. Before that, he spent a 2-0 stint with the Cleveland Browns in 2021. Should he take the field for Chicago, the Bears would become the eighth team Keenum has played for during his NFL career.
Bagent's situation is particularly notable given his unusual path to the backup role. The undrafted quarterback out of Shepherd University proved himself during his rookie 2023 season, going 2-2 in four starts. Since the Bears selected Williams first overall in the 2024 draft, Bagent has served as the primary backup, though he had not started a game over the past two seasons as Williams started all 17 games each year.
The timing of the injuries compounds the challenge for Chicago. The Bears are preparing for a critical NFC matchup against the Eagles on a shortened week, and the uncertainty at quarterback affects how the offense can prepare. Bagent's ability to participate in practice this week will depend on how quickly he advances through the concussion protocol, which requires players to pass a series of cognitive and physical benchmarks before being cleared.
Johnson's offense now faces the prospect of preparing multiple quarterbacks for the primetime game, a scenario that complicates game planning and rep distribution. Williams' hamstring injury, while not as severe as initially feared, still threatens to keep him sidelined. The team received «much better news than expected» regarding Williams' hamstring, but the injury is significant enough that he is not guaranteed to play.
For the Bears, the potential absence of both Williams and Bagent would thrust Keenum into a starting role for a team with playoff aspirations. The veteran's experience — 66 career starts across stints with the Texans, Browns, Vikings, Broncos, Washington, and others — offers a steady hand, but his lack of recent regular-season action raises questions about his readiness. Keenum has not taken a regular-season snap since 2023, and his last extended playing time came during his 2021 stint in Cleveland.
The Bears' quarterback depth will be tested regardless of the final decision. If Williams is cleared to play, Bagent's protocol status becomes less urgent, though the team would still lack a healthy backup. If Williams remains out and Bagent cannot clear protocol, Keenum becomes the starter by default, with the Bears potentially needing to elevate a practice squad quarterback for depth.
Chicago's Monday night matchup against Philadelphia carries significant early-season implications in the NFC. The Eagles, a perennial contender, will present a formidable test for whichever quarterback the Bears deploy. For now, the team must wait on medical evaluations and protocol clearances, leaving the most important position on the field in a state of uncertainty just days before kickoff.