Caleb Williams out 3-4 weeks with Grade 2 hamstring; Bears face quarterback limbo before Jets game
The Bears' former No. 1 overall pick will miss 3-4 weeks with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, forcing Chicago to choose between Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent for Sunday against the Jets.
Correction. Corrected the photo
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has been ruled out for Week 4 against the New York Jets, per Yahoo Sports. He suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in Week 2 and is expected to miss three to four weeks, CBS Sports reports. This marks his second consecutive game sidelined.
The Injury
Williams went down on a non-contact running play in the fourth quarter of Week 2's matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, per CBS Sports. The Bears lost that game 9-3, per NFL.com. He was carted off the field. The Grade 2 diagnosis carries a multiweek recovery timeline.
The Backup Situation
The Bears have not named a starter for Week 4. Head coach Ben Johnson told reporters "We'll find out on Sunday," per NBC Sports' ProFootballTalk. The choice lies between Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent. Early reports point to Bagent receiving first-team practice reps in the week leading up to the game, NBC Sports reports. Johnson has not closed the door on either option.
Keenum stepped into Week 3's game against the Philadelphia Eagles and delivered an efficient display. He completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns, posting a 110.8 passer rating in a 27-7 rout, per the Chicago Sun-Times.
Johnson's Approach
Johnson believes in backing the quarterback who performs best when called upon. "There is such a thing as playing the hot hand — that is real," Johnson said, per NBC Sports. On the decision between Keenum and Bagent specifically, he struck an optimistic tone. "I don't know that there's a bad choice, or a wrong choice," per NBC Sports. He also noted that Bagent had earned the No. 2 spot in training camp for concrete reasons. "There was a reason why Tyson ended training camp as our No. 2 quarterback," Johnson told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Williams' Early Impact
Through the first two games, Williams completed 36 of 55 passes for 407 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, per NFL.com. On the ground, he carried 15 times for 107 yards and two additional touchdowns — a dual-threat player that the team cannot easily replace. His absence will reshape the Bears' offensive approach, at least temporarily.
| Statistic | Williams (Weeks 1-2) | Keenum (Week 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 36/55 | 24/34 |
| Passing Yards | 407 | 247 |
| Passing TD/INT | 2/1 | 2/0 |
| Passer Rating | — | 110.8 |
| Rushing Carries | 15 | — |
| Rushing Yards | 107 | — |
| Rushing TD | 2 | — |
Johnson's Confidence
Despite the injury, Johnson expressed faith that Williams will return and recover more quickly than typical. "This guy's a little bit different than the average human being... He gets back... a lot faster than what people can anticipate," he said, per CBS Sports. Williams is in his third NFL season after being drafted first overall in 2024, per ESPN.
What Comes Next
The Bears face the New York Jets on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET on FOX, per Fox Sports. The game will mark the first of what could be a three- to four-week stretch without their franchise quarterback. Whoever lines up at quarterback will need to maintain the Bears' competitive position and prove that the offense can function in Williams' absence.