Bears QB Decision Pending as Bagent and Keenum Prepare for Jets

Ben Johnson called the Jets’ edge group “probably the quickest off the ball that we’ve seen so far” in chicagobears.com’s October 3 preview, identifying drop-back passing as a particular concern for the Bears’ tackles. Shared quarterback preparation can help settle assignments; it cannot establish how well protection will hold.

The starting decision remained unannounced in the outlet’s October 2 reporting, with Johnson telling reporters, “We’ll find out on Sunday,” when asked whether Tyson Bagent or Case Keenum would face the Jets.

Keenum described a routine built around watching film together, discussing route changes and quizzing one another, including asking Bagent about a backside assignment before both helped quiz Caleb Williams. Those details give the preparation claims substance: the work involves checking that the quarterbacks understand the same assignments.

There is also a recent result behind the confidence in Keenum, who passed for 247 yards and accounted for three touchdowns in Chicago’s 27-7 Monday-night win over Philadelphia, according to the October 2 report. Bagent said he took notes on how Keenum carried himself throughout that week and handled meetings, beyond their schematic work.

Offensive coordinator Press Taylor’s assessment of Bagent focused on how quickly he applies instruction: “We install, and he can take it to the grass right away in an hour.” That supports confidence in his command of the offense, while leaving the protection question open.

The matchup gives that distinction weight.

Entering Week 4, Chicago ranked third in total offense at 408 yards per game, while New York had allowed the second-fewest yards, 258.3, according to the October 3 preview. The Jets also had allowed the third-fewest passing yards per game at 171.

Whoever starts will have a rushing attack averaging an NFL-leading 184.3 yards per game, with D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai the only duo with at least 150 yards apiece through Week 3. That production gives Chicago a substantial foundation for its game plan without resolving the demands of drop-back protection.

The preview identified right tackle Darnell Wright against defensive end David Bailey as a key matchup. Bailey, the No. 2 overall draft pick, recorded 12 tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss in his first three NFL games.

Chicago hosts New York Sunday at Soldier Field with a chance to win consecutive games and improve to 3-1. Johnson’s protection concern extends beyond Bailey: “They’ve got three or four guys that they can roll through,” he said, adding that the Bears’ tackles would have their work cut out for them “particularly in our drop-back pass game.”