Chicago Bears working through
questions at quarterback and defensive line
[October 15, 2026]
By JAY COHEN
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears are navigating a tricky
situation with their quarterbacks while working through a murky
picture along their defensive line.
Coach Ben Johnson has a lot going on at the moment.
Caleb Williams was projected as a full participant on the injury
report for the team's walkthrough on Wednesday, but Johnson declined
to announce his starting quarterback for this weekend's game at
Atlanta. Williams hasn't played since he hurt his right hamstring in
the fourth quarter of a 9-3 loss to Minnesota on Sept. 20.
Tyson Bagent started Sunday’s 31-7 loss at Green Bay and threw two
interceptions. Case Keenum was picked off and lost a fumble after
replacing Bagent early in the fourth quarter.
“In regards to the quarterback situation, a lot of things have gone
through our minds,” Johnson said. “First and foremost, health is the
No. 1 priority for all three guys. I don’t know that any of them are
exactly 100% at this point in the season. That’s something that we
certainly look at.”
Another complicating factor is a quick turnaround from Sunday's
matchup with Atlanta to next Thursday's home game against the New
England Patriots.
The 24-year-old Williams worked out on the field before the loss to
the Packers. Asked if he was preparing for Williams to start against
the Falcons, Johnson said it's still a fluid situation.
“But I feel good about the plan that we have in place at this
point,” he said.
Beyond Williams, it's unclear who exactly is regarded as the team's
No. 2 QB at the moment. Bagent began the season as Williams' backup,
but he was 12 for 21 for just 87 yards against the Packers.
“I think once again, I put our struggles on myself more than
anything else from the game the other day,” Johnson said, “and I
have to do a better job making sure we get in a rhythm on offense,
regardless of who’s playing the quarterback position.”
Depth along the defensive line also has become a major question
after Montez Sweat was suspended for two games for violating the
NFL’s performance-enhancing substances policy. Dayo Odeyingbo
departed Sunday's loss with a quadriceps injury, and Johnson said
the 27-year-old defensive end is expected to miss some time.
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Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson talks after an NFL football
game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Oct.
11, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Shemar Turner replaced Sweat on Chicago’s roster,
but he is a bit of a wild card after opening the season on the
physically unable to perform list while continuing his recovery from
a torn ACL. The 23-year-old Turner was a second-round selection in
last year’s draft.
Austin Booker, who has a team-high four sacks,
likely will see increased playing time while Sweat and Odeyingbo are
out. Jamree Kromah and Jayden Loving also could figure into the mix
after they were inactive against Green Bay.
“The good thing is we have really planned for this,” Johnson said.
“We’ve got some guys on the active roster that haven’t even been
active yet. Some defensive linemen that we feel really strongly
about and what they did during training camp. This might be their
opportunity as well.”
Chicago also could be without linebacker T.J. Edwards and defensive
back Tyrique Stevenson for the matchup with Atlanta because of
injuries. Edwards (hamstring) had a did-not-practice designation on
Wednesday, and Stevenson (hip) was listed as limited.
Johnson described Stevenson as more day to day, while Edwards is
more of a week-to-week situation.
The defensive injuries make the already daunting task of stopping
Falcons running back Bijan Robinson even more difficult.
“It takes a whole unit to attempt to slow down a special player like
Bijan, God-given ability to see, to burst, to separate, to contact
balance,” said defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, a Georgia native who
spent his first 10 seasons with the Falcons. "I mean this is a
really, really special player, special person, and he knows he’s the
bloodline of that organization. So we’ve got a heck of a challenge
ahead of us.”
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