The Bears could potentially have a few options at quarterback ahead of their Monday night showdown with the Eagles.
Backup QB Tyson Bagent (concussion) is questionable to play after being cleared to practice Saturday and participating in full.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that while Ben Johnson initially described Bagent to reporters Saturday morning as having cleared concussion protocol, Bagent actually progressed to the next step in the process, allowing him to practice. He would clear protocol assuming he goes consecutive days without symptoms after practicing, per Schefter.
Bagent was reported on Tuesday to have entered the protocol.
Williams, who is dealing with a hamstring injury suffered in the team's Week 2 loss, has been officially ruled out.
Case Keenum is the Bears' third-string quarterback and took starting snaps at the beginning of Chicago's practice week with Williams and Bagent sidelined.
Should Bagent continue to be symptom-free after practicing and show he's prepared enough to get the start, it would be his first since the 2023 campaign when, as an undrafted rookie, he went 2-2 for the Bears with 859 passing yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions across five total appearances.
He also came in for Williams on Sunday against the Vikings and went 5 of 9 for 54 yards during two fourth-quarter possessions.
If the Bears were to turn to Keenum, the 38-year-old veteran would similarly be making his first start since 2023. He went 1-1 that season for the Texans, throwing for 291 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in what amounted to two of his four starts this decade.
Regardless of who starts, they'll have their work cut out for them against a Philly defense that ranks fifth in the NFL against the pass through two weeks. Chicago measures up much better in the run game, as the Bears enter Week 3 sporting the top rushing offense. They'll likely look to attack the Eagles' 23rd-ranked run defense on the ground with D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai.
However, the passing game will still have a plethora of difference-makers available in Colston Loveland, Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, as well as Swift and Monangai on shorter-area targets.
We'll see what Johnson draws up when the Bears kick off against the Eagles on Monday at 8:15 p.m. ET.
