Bears Host Jets in Week 4 With Quarterback Decision and Coaching Reunion

Chicago turns to either Case Keenum or Tyson Bagent with Caleb Williams injured as Ben Johnson faces former Detroit colleague Aaron Glenn on Sunday at Soldier Field.

The New York Jets visit the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday in a Week 4 matchup that carries weight for a Chicago team playing without Caleb Williams. The Bears knocked off the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday and have climbed back into the conversation among improving clubs, though they cannot relax in any given week. The game also pits head coach Ben Johnson against Jets counterpart Aaron Glenn, who worked together in Detroit.

A win over New York would help Chicago stay in front in the NFC North, a race the team must navigate while Williams recovers from injury. Several questions surrounding Sunday's meeting will shape both this game and what lies ahead for the Bears, and the short-handed Jets provide a useful measuring stick.

Quarterback sits at the top of the list. Case Keenum delivered a memorable showing in the Week 3 defeat of Philadelphia, and plenty of observers expect the veteran to keep the job, yet Johnson said afterward that Tyson Bagent holds the No. 2 spot for a reason. Staying quiet about the call preserves a competitive edge, and with Chicago installed as the favorite, the situation is worth watching if Keenum receives another turn. Ian Rapoport has reported that Bagent is the presumed starter, though Keenum has complicated the decision for the staff.

New York arrives with a depleted offense. Running back Breece Hall, wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, tight end Mason Taylor and guard Dylan Parham are all unavailable, weakening a group that already ranks 30th in rushing leaguewide through three weeks. Braelon Allen is a solid option to fill in for Hall, but the absences make improvement harder and could allow Chicago's defense to tighten up and cut down on explosive plays.

On the offensive line, Theo Benedet is in line to protect the quarterback's blind side after Braxton Jones exited last week's game hurt and is considered week-to-week. The two had been splitting snaps through the first three weeks, hardly an ideal setup, and the job now falls to Benedet alone for a full four quarters. Glenn may design his defensive approach around pressuring him to see how he holds up.

Turnovers have charted Chicago's season: at least three in each of the two victories, none in the only defeat, which came against Minnesota. The Bears paced the NFL in takeaways a year ago, and even with injuries hitting that unit, the production has kept coming. Facing a Jets offense missing key contributors, coordinator Dennis Allen could turn looser with his scheme while hunting for disruption and turnovers.

The running game rounds out the list. With the 38-year-old Keenum at the controls last week, most anticipated a ground-heavy plan, but the pass attack flourished against the Eagles instead. Chicago still posted 128 rushing yards, though the operation lacked its usual crispness. D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai now confront a demanding task against a New York defense allowing just 87.3 rushing yards per game this season.

The Jets and Bears kick off Sunday, October 4 at 1:00 PM EDT at Soldier Field, with the game airing on FOX.