Tyson Bagent to remain Bears starting QB for Week 5

The Chicago Bears are sticking with Tyson Bagent under centre for Week 5. Head coach Ben Johnson said on ESPN 1000 that Bagent will remain the starter, with Caleb Williams set to miss his third consecutive game because of a hamstring injury.

Williams is dealing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain and will remain sidelined for at least one more contest. The former first overall pick had not missed a game in his first two NFL seasons, but this injury has now kept him out for three weeks, even though his absence is not believed to be long term.

Bagent holds off Keenum after win over Jets

Chicago’s quarterback depth chart has shifted over the past two games. Case Keenum played the entire Week 3 matchup and took the opening offensive snap in Sunday’s win against the New York Jets. After that first play, though, Bagent ran the offense for the rest of the afternoon, while Keenum functioned as the backup.

Against the Jets, Bagent completed 25 of 34 passes for 268 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception. The Bears leaned heavily on their ground game and controlled the clock on the way to a 23-12 victory. Explaining his choice at quarterback, Johnson said, via The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain, that “Tyson will be the guy,” adding that the team feels it is “in good shape” with the current setup.

Bagent, a former undrafted free agent, has been with the Bears for four seasons. He has appeared in 14 regular-season games, with five official starts plus another outing in which he handled most of the snaps. Chicago will look for a similar level of poise and efficiency when he faces the Green Bay Packers in Week 5.

Bears balance injury worries with division stakes

The decision comes as the Bears hold a 3-1 record. They trail the Minnesota Vikings by one game for first place in the NFC North and sit one game ahead of both the Packers and the Detroit Lions.

With the division tightly packed, the upcoming matchup with Green Bay carries added weight. As Williams continues his recovery, Bagent is tasked with keeping the Bears’ offense steady and avoiding costly mistakes, while Keenum will dress as the No. 2 option. Chicago is betting that continuity at quarterback will help it navigate this stretch of the schedule without its franchise passer.