The Chicago Bears were down to their third quarterback in Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles, and it didn't look like Case Keenum started a regular season snap in little over 1,000 days. Now the conversation moves toward who will start under center in Week 4 against the New York Jets.
With Caleb Williams expected to miss at least one more game with a hamstring injury, Keenum made his case for another start. But Tyson Bagent was close to starting in Week 3 as he cleared concussion protocol, and Johnson has made it clear that the incumbent No. 2 is that, as long as he's healthy.
It's also fair to say that now that there's a full recent game tape on Keenum out there, it won't be as easy in his next start, should he get one. Head coach Ben Johnson can only do so much play-calling magic around a well-prepared defense, and the Eagles were not that in Week 3.
Ben Johnson is set maintain Week 4 Bears' QB mystery for as long as he can
As the topical winds blow each week, Johnson has shown a keen awareness of questions he'll be asked. When he took the podium on Wednesday, he knew they'd ask him about his starting quarterback for Week 4. And he was, over and over.
To the first question, Johnson said this.
"We’ve got three guys, and we’ll work through the week and see where we’re at.”
Johnson was then asked what factors would move the decision one way or another. Through a smirk, Johnson said, "whoever we feel like gives us the best chance to win."
Johnson did seemingly rule one man out when he said Williams was making progress but wouldn't participate in Wednesday's walkthough.
Johnson was later asked if he didn't know who Sunday's starting quarterback will be, or if he just doesn't want to advertise it. Through a bigger smirk this time, he said "I don't know."
Right at the end of the presser, in a final attempt to get him to say something, Johnson was asked how he creates the direction for the quarterback room so preparation time is maximized on a short week.
"The direction's already been made, so we’ll be in good shape for Sunday.”
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The direction, with Williams all but ruled out and Keenum's start easy to see as a magical one-off, seems to be Bagent starting against the Jets. But Johnson wants to play the game and maintain the mystery for as long as he can.
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