Bears head coach Ben Johnson is keeping the Jets guessing on the Bears’ Week 4 quarterback situation ahead of Chicago’s matchup vs. with New York at Soldier Field.
Ben Johnson isn't going to give his old friend Aaron Glenn any tips for the upcoming game between the Chicago Bears and New York Jets on Sunday at Soldier Field.
That's why the Bears' head coach didn't give a straight answer when asked about his team's quarterback situation entering the Week 4 matchup, keeping the Jets' head coach guessing.
“Yeah, we got three guys, and we'll kind of … we'll work through the week and see where they're at," Johnson said.
Johnson and Glenn spent four seasons together while the two were a part of the Detroit Lions' organization and both became head coaches in 2025.
Veteran quarterback Case Keenum is coming off an impressive performance over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football, throwing for 247 yards and two touchdown passes in the 27-7 win.
Tyson Bagent earned the backup quarterback spot behind Caleb Williams, who is still recovering from his Grade 2 hamstring injury. Johnson said that Williams is "getting better every single day," but he didn't participate in Wednesday's walkthrough.
Given Keenum's primetime performance and Bagent cleared from concussion protocol, the questions remains, who will start at quarterback if Williams misses a second-straight game?
Johnson said the team is "looking at everything" to determine who will play against Glenn's Jets, including potentially building off Keenum's moment from Monday night. The Bears' head coach acknowledged that Keenum played "really well" and "that plays a part of the evaluation."
The Bears' head coach has admiration for all of the quarterbacks in the room, but he won't second guess himself and the decision he makes.
"It’s not hard for me at all," Johnson said. "I feel really good about all three quarterbacks in that room. And I know all three of them can win ballgames for us."
Keenum proved that on Monday Night Football. Williams had an impressive season with Johnson in the first year they were together. From the coaching staff to the locker room, there is tons of confidence in Bagent if his number gets called.
As expected, Johnson was pressed about his team's quarterback situation during Wednesday's press conference. Although there was plenty of coach speak, one answer provided some clarity.
The Bears are operating on a short week, so how does he create the direction in the quarterbacks room to ensure those guys make use of every second that is available to them?
"The direction's already been made so we'll be in good shape for Sunday," Johnson said.
Now, Johnson didn't directly say who was starting, but based on that answer alone, it sounds like he and team already know internally, but aren't willing to share with the public. Why would Johnson do that when it makes Glenn's job just a bit easier?
The Bears will practice tomorrow, and maybe there might be an indication as to who will start based on reps in the individual period. Regardless of who Johnson decides to go with at quarterback, he will have confidence in that individual going into Sunday's game against the Jets.
