The Windy City just went absolutely silent. Caleb Williams, the face of that franchise, crumpled to the turf in Week 2 with a lower-body injury, and while it’s only a week-to-week hamstring issue and not season-ending, he’s definitely out for Monday night’s showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. But wait, it gets worse: second-string signal-caller Tyson Bagent is in concussion protocol. Seriously? That means 38-year-old Case Keenum could be under center for Chicago in Week 3, and head coach Ben Johnson is facing a challenge he has *literally* never seen before.
The QB Room Is a Disaster, And Johnson’s In Uncharted Territory
This isn’t just a tough break, it’s a full-blown quarterback crisis. Caleb Williams missing time is a huge blow, but having both your starting and backup QBs sidelined at the same time is straight-up wild. Johnson, in his entire NFL coaching career as an offensive coordinator or head coach, has *never* had to call plays for a backup quarterback forced to make a start. Get this: he’s never even called plays for a starting quarterback not selected No. 1 overall! That stat, dropped by Chase Daniel, sounds too crazy to be true, but it’s 100% accurate. Williams started all 17 games last season in Johnson’s first year as head coach, and Jared Goff never missed a start in Johnson’s three years as offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. Goff never got hurt, and the Lions were never in a position to rest starters. So now, Johnson’s got Keenum, who’s made just two starts since 2023, possibly running the show. Keenum would also become the fourth-oldest undrafted quarterback to start an NFL game, behind legends like Warren Moon. Talk about jumping into the deep end!
Can the Run Game Carry Chicago Against the Eagles?
After putting up 59 points in their season-opening win against the Carolina Panthers, the Bears offense looked completely different in a tough 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The wet weather was a factor, sure, but Brian Flores’ aggressive defense did its job. Now, with the QB situation in shambles for Week 3, running the ball against the Eagles becomes the absolute biggest part of Johnson’s game plan, no matter who’s under center. Good news is, Chicago’s actually crushing it on the ground, averaging a league-high 212.5 rushing yards per game. D’Andre Swift, with 169 yards, and Kyle Monangai, with 147 yards, are both inside the top nine in rushing. And guess what? The Eagles haven’t exactly been stone walls against the run, allowing an average of 127.0 rushing yards per game, which ranks ninth-worst in the NFL. Can the run game exploit that weakness? Chicago’s lost back-to-back home games after starting 6-1 at Soldier Field with Johnson, and they’ve dropped three straight Monday night home games. This Monday night against the Eagles isn’t just a game; it’s a gut check for Johnson and the entire team.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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