Bears open game vs. Jets with both Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum on field

With all the debate about which quarterback would get the start for the Chicago Bears against the New York Jets on Sunday, coach Ben Johnson kept the intrigue going all the way to the first play of the game.

Backup quarterbacks Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum were both on the field for the Bears’ first offensive play. Keenum took the snap and pitched it to D’Andre Swift, while Bagent lined up next to receiver Rome Odunze.

In Ben Johnson fashion, on the first play of the game Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent are on the field for the Bears

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Keenum exited after the play, letting Bagent lead a 14-play, 93-yard drive that resulted in no points. Two 1-yard touchdown runs by Swift were overturned on video review.

It was a creative way to end a week of backup quarterback debate in Chicago. Starter Caleb Williams is still working his way back from a hamstring injury and, last week, Bagent, the usual No. 2 option, missed practice time while in concussion protocol. That led the Bears to start the 38-year-old Keenum against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Keenum’s performance became the feel-good story of the week, passing for 247 yards and two touchdowns, and adding a rushing score, in the Bears’ 27-7 win. The Bears then faced a decision: stick with the “hot hand” in Keenum or trust their depth chart with their traditional No. 2, Bagent.

Despite the dilemma, both quarterbacks spoke at Halas Hall this week and expressed support for each other. Bears play-by-play announcer Jeff Joniak said on “Bears GameDay Live” that when Johnson told Keenum they were giving Bagent the start this week, Keenum said he wanted to be the one to tell Bagent, another sign of the camaraderie of the quarterback room.