Bears Start Bagent or Keenum vs. Eagles as Williams Out With Hamstring

Chicago Bears starting quarterback Caleb Williams has been ruled out of Monday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain sustained during the fourth quarter of last Sunday's 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, will miss his first NFL game after starting all 36 regular-season contests and 2 playoff games for the Bears.

Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent has cleared the NFL concussion protocol and is available for the Eagles matchup. Bagent suffered a concussion on his second play in relief of Williams against Minnesota, when he was driven to the turf by Vikings outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel after throwing an incomplete pass. He missed practice Wednesday and Friday but returned to full participation Saturday and progressed through protocol steps to become symptom-free by Sunday.

Bears coach Ben Johnson has not announced a definitive starter between Bagent and third-string quarterback Case Keenum, with a game-time decision possible. Keenum, 38, was the only quarterback to practice each day this week and has been available throughout the preparation period. Neither Bagent nor Keenum has started an NFL regular-season game since 2023. Johnson noted different skill sets between the two, with Bagent being more mobile, but emphasized both are "very cerebral players" and "mentally prepared for the game." Johnson stated Bagent was the preferred backup entering the season and expressed enthusiasm about getting him on the field.

The Bears will face a Philadelphia Eagles defense ranked fifth in pass defense and 23rd in run defense through two weeks. Chicago's offensive weapons include running backs D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai—who returned to full practice Friday after a knee injury—along with receivers Colston Loveland, Rome Odunze, and Luther Burden III. Bears offensive coordinator Press Taylor, a former Eagles assistant, noted that patience and a ground-focused approach will be necessary against Philadelphia's zone-based defensive schemes led by coordinator Vic Fangio.