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Bears Expected to Start Bagent Against Jets
Confirmed
In Short: Tyson Bagent is expected to start for the Chicago Bears against the New York Jets after receiving first-team practice reps.
Tyson Bagent is expected to start for the Chicago Bears against the New York Jets, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, who reported on Friday's 'The Insiders' show.
Bagent received first-team practice reps this week, while coach Ben Johnson has remained silent on the decision.
The Bears have ruled out Caleb Williams for a second consecutive game due to a hamstring injury.
Johnson has not publicly named his replacement, but sources told Rapoport that Bagent took the majority of first-team reps during the week.
Bagent's last start came in 2023 in a 16-13 win over the Carolina Panthers, which is 1,059 days ago.
Bagent sustained a concussion late in the fourth quarter in a 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings after Williams left the game with an injury.
Case Keenum, who delivered three total touchdowns in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles, will serve as Bagent's backup against the Jets.
The Bears announced a two-year extension for Bagent on Aug. 20, 2025, keeping him under contract through 2027.
Keenum credited Bagent’s command of assignments, while Bagent said he learned from watching how the veteran handled the week leading into the Eagles game.
The Bears also ruled out left tackle Braxton Jones with a knee injury, identifying Theo Benedet as his replacement.
What this adds
The Bears have not publicly explained why they would turn to Bagent after Keenum’s successful outing.
Bagent did not clear the protocol until Sunday, leaving Keenum to start against Philadelphia a day later.
Johnson has enjoyed working with both Bagent and Keenum this week in practice.
The Bears have made it clear they are fully comfortable with Tyson Bagent.
What's confirmed
- Tyson Bagent is expected to start for the Chicago Bears against the New York Jets, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, who reported on Friday's 'The Insiders' show.
- Bagent received first-team practice reps this week, while coach Ben Johnson has remained silent on the decision.
- The Bears have ruled out Caleb Williams for a second consecutive game due to a hamstring injury.
- Johnson has not publicly named his replacement, but sources told Rapoport that Bagent took the majority of first-team reps during the week.
- Bagent's last start came in 2023 in a 16-13 win over the Carolina Panthers, which is 1,059 days ago.
- Bagent sustained a concussion late in the fourth quarter in a 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings after Williams left the game with an injury.
- Case Keenum, who delivered three total touchdowns in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles, will serve as Bagent's backup against the Jets.
- The Bears announced a two-year extension for Bagent on Aug. 20, 2025, keeping him under contract through 2027.
- Keenum credited Bagent’s command of assignments, while Bagent said he learned from watching how the veteran handled the week leading into the Eagles game.
- The Bears also ruled out left tackle Braxton Jones with a knee injury, identifying Theo Benedet as his replacement.
What's still developing
- Bagent did not clear the protocol until Sunday, leaving Keenum to start against Philadelphia a day later.
- That performance gives Johnson a credible alternative if Bagent does not start.
- The team reported Bagent’s preseason passer ratings of 119.9 in 2024, 106.6 in 2025 and 119.3 this year.
- What has changed since last week is Bagent’s opportunity to prepare after clearing concussion protocol.
- Bagent was the first quarterback off the bench when Williams was injured against Minnesota in Week 2.
- The Bears liked Bagent enough to give him a two-year, $10 million deal when multiple teams were trying to get him.
- If Bagent starts and plays well in the next couple of weeks, his stock in the building will only rise even further, and while that can also help boost his draft stock, it might take an absolute king's ransom for the Bears to consider it.
- The Chicago Bears have made it loud and clear, time and time again, that they're fully comfortable with Tyson Bagent.
- Case Keenum absolutely balled in Week 3, proving that he can efficiently run Ben Johnson's offense if needed, and prompting the inevitable question about the Bears' QB2.
- While that doesn't mean a game may have changed the Bears' plans or thoughts on Bagent, other teams could come knocking again.
- But if that's the case, it might still be difficult to get the Bears to trade him for one simple reason: They may value him more than other teams.
- He started four games his rookie season while former Bears quarterback Justin Fields dealt with a thumb injury.