Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson won't publicly declare whether Tyson Bagent or Case Keenum will start at quarterback against the New York Jets in Week 4.
"We'll find out on Sunday," Johnson said on Friday, two days prior to kickoff.
Quarterback Caleb Williams has been ruled out for a second straight game as he recovers from a Grade 2 hamstring strain. In his absence last Monday, Keenum led the Bears to a 27-7 win over the Philadelphia Eagles while Bagent, who was one day removed from clearing the concussion protocol, served as the backup.
Both Bagent and Keenum took full-team reps at practice this week.
"I know both of them are well prepared to play and win a game for us," Johnson said.
Keenum is coming off one of the best starts of his career when he threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers or sacks. It was his first start in 1,009 days.
If Bagent gets the nod against the Jets, his time between starts will be even longer. The 26-year-old quarterback last started a stretch of four games in Chicago in 2023 with his last coming in a 16-13 win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 10 that season.
Johnson has repeatedly pointed to Bagent being named the Bears' No. 2 quarterback "for a reason" at the end of training camp but said the team riding the hot hand with Keenum will play "a part" of the evaluation on who will start.
