The Chicago Bears just got absolutely thumped, losing 31-7 to the Green Bay Packers, and it got so bad that head coach Ben Johnson benched quarterback Tyson Bagent right in the middle of it. This team has somehow scraped together wins even with their franchise guy, Caleb Williams, sidelined, but Sunday was a total disaster, and Johnson had to make a move.
Why Johnson Pulled The Plug
Johnson didn’t waste any time explaining why he yanked Bagent and threw Case Keenum into the fire. He told reporters after the game, “We just wanted a little spark there.” He went on to say that Bagent “just could never feel like he got in a rhythm here today.” You could tell the frustration was boiling over. The final straw? Bagent’s second interception. At that point, Johnson said they just felt like, “let’s give Case a chance out there and see if we get different results.” Spoiler alert: they still lost, 31-7. It’s a tough look for Bagent, who’s been filling in for Williams.
What’s Next Under Center?
Bagent, to his credit, owned up to it in the postgame presser. He admitted that being benched, especially in a game like that and with the opportunity he’s been given, is definitely not what you want. He’s taking it as motivation, though, saying he needs to play better and that he’s going to “look in the mirror” to figure out where he can improve. Meanwhile, the big question mark is Caleb Williams. Johnson mentioned Williams is still recovering from a hamstring injury, but there’s a chance he could be back on the field next week when they face the Falcons. If Williams isn’t cleared to play, Johnson didn’t commit to either Bagent or Keenum for the starting spot. He said the coaching staff would hammer that out this week.
So, the Bears have a huge decision looming before their matchup against the Falcons. Is Williams healthy enough to return and save the day? Or will it be a coin flip between a benched Bagent looking for redemption and veteran Keenum trying to provide that spark Johnson was hoping for? It’s going to be a tense week in that QB room.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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