Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson didn’t waste a second naming Tyson Bagent as the starting quarterback for the team’s massive Week 5 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. This move comes as star QB Caleb Williams continues to recover from an injury that has thrown a wrench into the Bears’ early season plans.
Caleb Williams’ Hamstring Situation Is No Joke
Dude, remember seeing Caleb Williams get carted off the field back in Week 2 during that Vikings loss? It was rough. Well, we’ve finally got the full scoop. Reports from Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport on September 27 confirmed it was a Grade 2 hamstring injury. Doctors estimated he’d be out for three to four weeks. They also mentioned he likely felt scar tissue breaking up from an old hamstring injury, which, while painful, isn’t supposed to cause long-term damage. That’s a relief, for sure, because you always fear the worst when your franchise guy is heading off the field with a towel over his head. But let’s be real, it’s still a huge setback for a team that came into this season as the reigning NFC North champs with realistic playoff expectations. Williams put up crazy numbers in 2025, throwing for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He even started 2026 hot with four total touchdowns in the opener against the Carolina Panthers, though he did struggle in the rain against the Vikings before the injury hit.
The Backup Brigade Is Keeping the Bears Rolling
Here’s where it gets interesting: even with Williams out, the Bears haven’t folded. They’ve actually won their last two games, pushing their record to a solid 3-1. Tyson Bagent, the newly named starter, showed what he could do in Week 4, going 25-of-34 for 268 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception in their 23-12 win over the New York Jets. Before that, when Bagent was actually in concussion protocol, veteran Case Keenum stepped up big in Week 3. Keenum went 24-of-34 for 247 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions, leading them to a 27-7 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles. So, they’ve got guys who can step in and get it done, but now the pressure is squarely on Bagent’s shoulders.
Now, Bagent’s got to try and extend that winning streak to three games. The Bears are looking to keep pace with the Vikings in the NFC North standings, and a rivalry game against the Packers is no easy task for anyone, let alone a guy stepping into the QB1 role mid-season. All eyes are on Week 5.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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