The Jets came out of Week 2 with plenty to sort through, but one development elsewhere on Sunday may end up mattering just as much for New York’s trip to Chicago in Week 4.
Caleb Williams left the Bears’ loss to the Vikings in the fourth quarter, and the early signs point to a hamstring injury rather than something even more alarming. That matters for the Jets because Chicago is next on the schedule after New York’s upcoming stretch against NFC North competition, and Williams is the engine that makes that offense go.
Chicago’s attack has already flashed real punch this season. In Week 1, the Bears put up 59 points against the Panthers, with Williams accounting for two rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns. Against Minnesota, the offense had a much rougher day in ugly conditions, but the bigger concern came when Williams went down on a first-and-goal play-action snap with 7:40 left in regulation.
The play looked frightening in real time. Williams faked the handoff, rolled left, and appeared to lose his footing near the 10-yard line before dropping to the turf.
Replay showed the defender never made contact with him, which is what made it a classic non-contact injury. That’s the kind of scene that instantly sends everyone to the worst-case scenario.
At first glance, it had the look of an Achilles injury. Williams stopped suddenly, went down immediately, and left the field in tears on a cart.
But Adam Schefter reported that the injury appears to be a hamstring issue, with imaging scheduled for Monday. That is still a problem, but it’s a much better outcome for Chicago than the alternative.
Bears QB Caleb Williams is scheduled to undergo imaging on his injured hamstring Monday.
- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 20, 2026
For the Jets, the timing could hardly be better. Their pass defense has been solid through two games, holding Tennessee to 140 passing yards in Week 1 and Green Bay to 145 this past Sunday. The pass rush, though, didn’t do enough against the Packers, and that’s exactly where Williams can hurt a defense when he’s healthy.
If Williams can’t play in Week 4, Tyson Bagent would be the next man up. He has started four games in a little over two seasons and has appeared in 14 games overall.
In his career, he has completed 66.4% of his passes for 917 yards with three touchdowns and six interceptions. He finished Sunday’s game by going 4-for-9 for 54 yards after Williams exited.
Nothing is settled yet, and the imaging will tell the real story. But for a Jets team heading into a tough road run, Williams’ injury could end up being a major break.
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