Bears coach Ben Johnson not ruling out QB Caleb Williams against Eagles
Johnson called Williams’ right hamstring injury a “week-to-week” situation and doesn't think the QB will practice this week.
CHICAGO — Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson called Caleb Williams’ right hamstring injury a “week-to-week” situation while offering a largely positive update a day after the quarterback was helped off the field and carted to the locker room.
Williams left Sunday’s 9-3 loss to Minnesota after he got hurt on a scramble deep in Vikings territory with about 7½ minutes left. The No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft was replaced by Tyson Bagent.
Johnson said he doesn’t think Williams will practice this week, but he isn’t ruling him out for Chicago’s matchup with the Eagles on Monday night.
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“He’s right now working through every avenue that he’s got available to get back on track here,” Johnson said. “We’ll see what that looks like. Here’s what I know: This guy’s a little bit different than the average human being. ... He gets back, he has in the past, a lot faster than what people can anticipate. I’m not putting a timeline on this. We’re going to say week to week.”
After the home game against the Eagles, the Bears (1-1) take on the New York Jets on Oct. 4 before visiting the Green Bay Packers on Oct. 11.
Playing in a steady rain at Soldier Field, Williams was 15 for 26 for 138 yards with an interception. He also had five carries for 42 yards against Minnesota.
The 24-year-old Williams had a towel over his head after he first got on the cart for the trip to the locker room. He took the towel off as the cart moved along the sideline and pumped his right arm to rev up the sullen crowd of 58,914.
“We’ll see where he’s at as the week progresses and how long that means, but it was somewhat encouraging the report that we got,” Johnson said Monday.
If Williams is unable to go, Bagent would step in vs. the Eagles. The Bears also have Case Keenum on their roster.
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Bagent was 5 for 9 for 54 yards against the Vikings. He had a record-setting career at Division II Shepherd University before signing with the Bears in May 2023 as an undrafted free agent.
“He’s got full confidence in himself. We have full confidence in him,” offensive lineman Jonah Jackson said, “and we know he can dink and dump the ball around and sling it and also get active with his feet.”
Bagent, 26, made four starts while appearing in five games as rookie, passing for 859 yards and three touchdowns with six interceptions. He signed a two-year contract extension in August 2025.
“If it goes that route, I feel strongly about what he’s capable of and our team does, too,” Johnson said. “They know he’s a darn good football player.”
