Bears news roundup: Kyler Gordon update, QB decision vs. Jets, Ozzy Trapilo 'close'

These Chicago Bears are something else. We still can't get over that dominating Week 3 win.

All week long, fans have continued to sing the praises of head coach Ben Johnson and the work he and his staff have done working this early period without quarterback Caleb Williams. And while Williams was not placed on injured reserve, the belief is that the team will continue to operate without him in the very near future.

But, what about the quarterback decision coming for Week 4 against the New York Jets? Case Keenum just put on quite the performance against the Philadelphia Eagles, but Tyson Bagent is healthy and listed as the team's backup.

How are injuries impacting the Bears this week? Better question: who is closer and closer to seeing the field?

We've got some big updates, so let's review all the news from a busy Week 4 at Halas Hall.

1. Kyler Gordon's practice window is officially open
2. Bears' Week 4 QB decision vs. the Jets
3. Ozzy Trapilo inching closer to seeing the field
4. Gervon Dexter Sr. gets the contract Bears wouldn't pay
5. Must-read quotes from Bears players and coaches

Kyler Gordon's practice window is officially open

One of the biggest bits of news we've gotten all season long came this week when the team announced they have opened the 21-day practice window for cornerback Kyler Gordon, who has been on injured reserve with a calf injury.

Soft tissue injuries have hampered Gordon's last year or so, and many fans had even wondered if he'd ever come back to the Bears or if the team would move on.

With Gordon looking like he'll see the field in the near future, that brings an intriguing question to light: what happens with rookie Malik Muhammad?

In all likelihood, Muhammad takes Tyrique Stevenson's job. The rookie has had a strong start to the season and has played a little outside, but mostly in the slot. When Gordon is fully up to speed, I would expect Stevenson to see the bench.

Bears' Week 4 QB decision vs. the Jets

9/30 update

Wednesday afternoon, when Ben Johnson spoke to the Bears media, he knew he would get asked about the quarterback situation. When responding to the question of who is starting, this was his response:

"The direction has already been made, so we'll be in good shape for Sunday."

It isn't hard to read between the lines. Johnson is not going to name a starting quarterback just yet, and in this case, it does give Chicago a competitive advantage over New York. All three quarterbacks are very different; of course we're likely going to see either Tyson Bagent or Case Keenum.

10/2 update

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Bagent took the majority of the first-team reps at quarterback in practice this week and is expected to be the starter. Johnson has continued throughout the week to not give any indication on who he would start, except that Williams is officially out.

Ozzy Trapilo inching closer to seeing the field

ESPN's Courtney Cronin said, this week, that Johnson told her Ozzy Trapilo is "close" to returning. There is uncertainty around whether he will make his return against New York on Sunday, but if not against the Jets, it could very well be in Week 5 against the Packers.

Trapilo has been out since tearing his patellar tendon back in January, but has made a shockingly-quick recovery and is set to come back much sooner than anybody expected. In his place, we've seen both Braxton Jones and Theo Benedet get some time, with the former picking up an injury this week.

10/2 update

Johnson has named Benedet the starter at left tackle for the Bears and Jones was ruled out for the Jets game. Trapilo will wait another week until he potentially gets his first start of the season.

Gervon Dexter Sr. gets the contract Bears wouldn't pay

Just a month after the Bears traded defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. to the Atlanta Falcons, he was rewarded with a 4-year extension worth $78 million. Prior to the start of the season, Chicago dealt him to Atlanta for a 2027 fifth-round pick and cornerback Clark Phillips.

While Phillips has yet to do anything in a Bears uniform, and we're yet to see how that fifth rounder is used, one thing is abundantly clear: the Bears were never going to pay up for Dexter.

His highs were high but other times, he'd disappear, and was a liability against the run.

This extension is a positive for Dexter, but in a weird way, it's somewhat of a relief to Bears fans. That deal was never going to happen in Chicago.

Must-read quotes from Bears players and coaches

Ben Johnson sees what the fans see regarding the Bears' top receiving options

"I would say I think probably all of our pass catchers right now are all chomping a little bit to get fed a little bit more. And I think that's a good thing. That's on me as a play caller to make sure they all get the ball distributed to them." (via 104.3 The Score)

Ben Johnson on the difficulty of naming a starting quarterback this week

"It’s not hard at all. We have 3 quarterbacks who can win games.” (via CHGO)

Read more: Bears' Week 4 QB decision doesn't matter as Jets' defense is fools gold

D'Andre Swift has the utmost confidence in all three Bears quarterbacks

"With how detailed that room is and with the job, assignments and how they are, they kind of control the huddle when they’re in there. When they hand them opportunities they all do a great job. ... Whoever they put out there we have the utmost belief that they’re going to be able to get the job done." (via Chris Emma)

Tyson Bagent on fellow quarterback Case Keenum

“Nobody’s a bigger cheerleader and fan of Case Keenum than I am.” (via CHGO)

Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has strong belief in Kyler Gordon's return

"I've got extreme confidence in what he can do... and that's never wavered. The biggest thing for Kyler is for him to be healthy and be able to stay healthy...

"I see him being back out on the field & helping us win a lot of games." (via Jason Lieser)

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