The Chicago Bears are headed into Monday Night Football in a messy spot, and the quarterback picture only makes it stranger.
With Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent most likely out, Case Keenum would be the next man up against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3. That alone changes the feel of the offense, but head coach Ben Johnson is still expected to keep the same balanced-attack identity intact.
That sets up a game loaded with possibilities, and there are eight bold calls worth keeping an eye on before kickoff.
The biggest swing might come on the ground. As long as D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai are sharing the backfield, Chicago’s rushing attack has a chance to pop again.
The Bears have already had two games in two years where both backs topped 100 yards in the same contest, and one of those came against the Eagles. Hitting 200 rushing yards is very much in play.
But the other side of that coin could be rough for Chicago’s defense. Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson have given up 100-plus passer rating points this season, and that kind of coverage has left the Bears vulnerable. Philadelphia’s receiver group is deep, with DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks leading the way, so Jalen Hurts could pile up more than 300 passing yards if things break that direction.
Hurts also comes into this one with turnover concerns. He threw two interceptions in the Week 2 win over the Tennessee Titans, and Malik Muhammad has a chance to cash in on that. Muhammad already has one interception this season and has been sharp in coverage, allowing a 28.5 passer rating.
On the defensive side, Dillon Thieneman feels like a safe bet to keep stuffing the stat sheet. He already leads the Bears with 17 tackles, and with the way he plays in the box and has to help in coverage, he could easily finish at the top of that category again.
There’s also a path where Chicago slows Saquon Barkley down. Barkley is dealing with a stinger and isn’t at 100 percent, and Philadelphia’s offensive line is in rough shape with the interior shuffled around. That opens the door for the Bears to keep him under 50 rushing yards.
If the Bears fall behind, Keenum may have to throw a lot. A total of 30 or more pass attempts would fit the script if Chicago is chasing the game, and Johnson probably won’t overhaul the offense just because the veteran is under center. That doesn’t guarantee success, but it does point to a heavier passing workload.
The pressure could also show up in the sack column. Philadelphia’s offensive line is banged up, especially with Landon Dickerson out and Cam Jurgens moving to left guard while Drew Kendall is set for his third career start and second at center.
That gives Chicago a real chance to get after Hurts, with Grady Jarrett, Dayo Odeyingbo, James Lynch, and others in position to make noise at defensive tackle. Three sacks or more is on the table.
And then there’s the tight end situation, which has been quiet so far. Loveland has just one catch on five targets through two games, and the Bears have struggled to get him involved. Kmet could end up with more work than Loveland, especially if the Eagles focus on blanketing the second-year tight end, but the overall outlook for Chicago’s tight ends looks shaky against this defense.
In Other News...
Bears Suddenly Have A Real Monday Night QB Decision
Tyson Bagent was back on the practice field Saturday after moving forward in the NFL concussion protocol, and that alone gave the Bears a little more clarity in an already unsettled quarterback picture. With Caleb Williams sidelined by a hamstring injury, Chicago has been left sorting through a short-term answer for Monday Night Football against the Eagles, and Bagents return at least keeps the young quarterback in the mix.
The catch is that Bagent still needs final medical clearance before he can be counted on for the game, which leaves the Bears weighing one more layer of uncertainty before kickoff. If he is not ready, veteran Case Keenum stands as the other option, giving Chicago a decision that now feels much closer to game-time than the team probably wanted. [Read more 🡒]
Malik Muhammads Bears Rise Could Get Tested In A Hurry
Through two weeks of the 2026 season, Malik Muhammad has looked every bit like a rookie who belongs in the Bears defensive plans. With Kyler Gordon sidelined, Muhammad stepped into the starting nickel cornerback job and has already shown why the staff has trusted him there, allowing just five catches on 11 targets while also picking off a pass and adding a sack.
Dennis Allen has seen enough to keep pushing the kid beyond one role, too, with Muhammad being trained to handle both nickel and outside corner duties. That kind of versatility can make a young defensive back invaluable, but it also means the Bears may be asking a lot of him sooner rather than later, especially if the matchups keep coming fast and the depth chart keeps shifting around him. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Get A Much-Needed QB Development Before Eagles Game
Tyson Bagent was back on the practice field Saturday after moving forward in the NFL concussion protocol, a timely development for the Bears as they sort through their quarterback options before Monday nights matchup with the Eagles. With Caleb Williams sidelined by a hamstring injury, Chicago has been weighing whether to lean on Bagent or turn to veteran Case Keenum, and getting Bagent back into the mix at least gives the staff another live option.
Bagent still needs final medical clearance before he can be available, so the picture is not fully settled yet. For a Bears team trying to stabilize the position on a short week, every bit of progress matters, especially with the game plan and the pecking order under center still in flux. [Read more 🡒]