When Ben Johnson met the media Wednesday before conducting a walk-through practice, the Bears coach was not ready to name a starting quarterback for Sunday's home game against the Jets.
After all, players were off Tuesday following Monday night's dominant 27-7 win over the Eagles at Soldier Field. With Caleb Williams sidelined due to a hamstring injury and backup Tyson Bagent not cleared from concussion protocol until Sunday, third-stringer Case Keenum delivered a stellar performance in his first NFL start since 2023.
"We've got three guys," Johnson said. "We'll work through the week and see where they're at."
Asked what would determine who starts versus the Jets, the Bears coach said: "Whoever we feel like gives us the best chance to win."
Keenum was outstanding against the Eagles, completing 70.6% of his passes for 247 yards with two touchdowns and a 110.8 passer rating. He also rushed for one TD, was not sacked and did not commit a turnover.
"He played really decisive football, and it was much needed, too," Johnson said. "That group can get after the quarterback. They have a really talented front. He got pressured a few times and he was able to get rid of the ball. And he trusted that his guys were going to be where they're supposed to be. He had a great grasp of the game plan, and I think once again that week of preparation really played into his confidence going into that game."
Johnson acknowledged that Keenum's impressive outing will be considered in determining who starts against the Jets.
"We're looking at everything," said the Bears coach. "He played really well the other night. Sure, that plays a part of the evaluation."
Asked how he would "create the direction in the quarterbacks room" on a short week, Johnson said: "The direction's already been made, so we'll be in good shape for Sunday."
While Williams missed a game for the first time since being selected by the Bears with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, Johnson felt that the young quarterback benefited from watching from a different perspective.
"There's a tremendous amount to be gained even though he didn't participate last week," Johnson said. "From taking a step back and seeing a big-picture lens of how the entire team was preparing for the game, to specifically a different guy getting the keys to the car and seeing how he was going about his business and getting ready to drive it.
"That quarterback meeting we have before the game is huge for us, and it was different with Case. He's been in those for 15-plus years and so he's been around a lot of really good players himself, and I think he's taken things from each and every guy that he's been around, and so it sounded a little bit different. That's a good thing for Caleb to hear. I think he'll grow from that."
Williams hurt his hamstring Sept. 20 against the Vikings. The next day, Johnson described his status as week-to-week. On Wednesday, the Bears coach said that the third-year pro is "getting better every single day," but he would not be present at the team's late afternoon walkthrough.
Regardless of who ultimately starts, naming a starter isn't a difficult decision for Johnson.
"It's not hard for me at all," he said. "I feel really good about all three quarterbacks in that room, and I know all three of them can win ballgames for us."
