This isn't how the Chicago Bears wanted their season to go. After a successful 2025 campaign that saw them beat an old rival and make it to the Divisional Round, expectations were high for Ben Johnson's second season with the team. After a dominant Week 1 performance, it seemed like we were going to get the best version of Johnson's vision with this team.
Instead, the Bears are now facing a ton of turmoil in just their third week of action. Caleb Williams suffered a hamstring injury that threatens his availability for Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles. If Williams does not get right by the end of the week, Chicago will need to rely on their backup quarterbacks to carry the load.
Former NFL quarterback-turned-analyst Chase Daniel revealed a rather stunning fact about Johnson in the process. As it turns out, the Bears head coach has never been in a position to coach a backup in his entire career. In fact, Daniel noted that Johnson has never had a starter who wasn't a first overall pick.
Back with the Detroit Lions, Johnson was blessed to have a rock like Jared Goff under center. The first overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, Goff has not missed a single game since Johnson took over as the Lions' offensive coordinator in 2023. When Johnson joined the Bears, Williams also played all of the possible games without any issues.
This will be the first time in quite some time that Johnson will have to lead an offense with a quarterback who's… not quite there compared to his previous quarterbacks. With Tyson Bagent also dealing with an injury of his own, the likely starter for the Bears in Week 3 will be veteran Case Keenum. Keenum has been on an NFL roster for the last few years, but his last game experience was back in 2023 for the Houston Texans.
How will Johnson and the Bears adjust to this sudden development? This game will be crucial for Chicago's playoff push down the line, and they can't afford to lose even one game in the incredibly competitive NFC North.