Glazer: Bagent clears concussion protocol

With the Bears trailing 31-7, Keenum was subbed in for Tyson Bagent for the fourth quarter. He provided more passing production in one quarter than Bagent did in three, but the Packers were obviously sitting back a bit in coverage. Keenum also equalled Bagent’s turnover total, as he lost a fumble in addition to his pick. Keenum was livelier than Bagent, but hardly better. With Caleb Williams appearing likely to return from his hamstring injury in Week 6 against the Falcons, this is hopefully the last we hear of the Bears’ backup situation for the foreseeable future. If it’s not, we would have to assume it’s now “advantage Keenum.”

It was time. Bagent found himself on the pine for the entirely of the final frame. Before his removal, he had thrown two awful picks without coming particularly close to any noteworthy plays. Bagent lacks NFL caliber arm strength, and it is worth wondering if coach Ben Johnson would have stuck with Case Keenum for the duration of Caleb Williams’ absence had he not wanted to avoid the precedent that you can lose your job while concussed (Bagent missed Week 2 with the aforementioned head injury). It’s hopefully a moot point now, as Williams appears set to return from his hamstring issue in Week 6 against the Falcons. If it’s not Williams, it will almost certainly be Keenum. Bagent can be cut loose in superflex leagues.

Caleb Williams (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity today, and the Bears ended up listing him as questionable to play. Consider him highly questionable. Rushing their star quarterback back onto the field when Bagent and Case Keenum have both played well is unnecessary. Regardless, keep an eye on this situation.

Bears coach Ben Johnson told reporters on Monday that Tyson Bagent will start against the Packers this week. Fast forward a few days and the odds have changed slightly. Williams did a little throwing, practicing in a limited capacity today, and is progressing through his rehab plan. That said, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Bagent will “most likely” get the start. We expect that to be the case. Regardless, make sure Williams is rostered in 12-team formats.

We assumed this was where things were heading after Bagent turned in a solid outing in his first start against the Jets. Bagent has been the QB2 on the Bears’ depth chart throughout the season and only missed Week 3’s start against the Eagles because he spent most of the week in the league’s concussion protocol. Bagent threw for 268 yards and one interception in Sunday’s win over the Jets and will have some appeal in 2QB/Superflex leagues, especially with the Chiefs and Panthers both on byes in Week 5.

Getting the start after Case Keenum led the Bears to victory in Week 3 against the Eagles, Bagent successfully managed the run-heavy Bears offense. He was inaccurate for stretches of the game, throwing at least two balls that should have been intercepted by the New York secondary. On the day he was 8 percent over his expected completion rate. Bagent targeted Rom Odunze a team-high nine times. He connected with Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III a handful of times on well-times throws to the middle of the field. Bagent will get another start in Week 5 against the Packers with Caleb Williams sidelined. He’ll have some superflex appeal in that matchup.

Bagent came in after Caleb Williams suffered a hamstring strain in Week 2, but missed Week 3 as he was in concussion protocol with Case Keenum getting the start. With Williams still out, Bagent will be back under center against the Jets. With Ben Johnson calling plays, Bagent is a super-flex option in Week 4.

Bagent signed a two-year, $10 million contract extension in August 2025 to serve as the Bears’ No. 2 quarterback. He took the majority of first-team reps this week despite QB3 Case Keenum’s Week 3 heroics. Bagent can be started in Superflex leagues against the Jets, assuming he is officially named the starter this weekend.

Williams was never believed to have a real shot at playing, but the Bears officially ruled him out on Friday. Tyson Bagent has reportedly taken all of the first-team snaps in practice this week, but Ben Johnson may wait until kickoff to reveal who his starter will be on Sunday, with both Bagent and Case Keenum expected to be active. We’ll see if Williams’ status improves for Week 5’s game against the Packers.

While head coach Ben Johnson will do his best to keep his QB1 for Week 4’s game against the Jets under wraps, it’s hard to slip things past all the reporters who are present during the media portion of practice. With reports that Bagent, who is listed as the Bears’ QB2 on the depth chart, is taking first-team reps, it’s safe to assume things are trending toward him making the start this week. We may not get a clear answer from the team on who the starter will be until kickoff, which makes both Bagent and Case Keenum hard to trust for fantasy managers who may have been considering them in 2QB/Superflex leagues.