Why Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum both started for Chicago Bears in Week 4

The Chicago Bears entered their Week 4 matchup against the New York Jets with plenty of controversy at quarterback. Ultimately, Tyson Bagent earned the start, leading the Bears to a 23-12 victory.

On the first play though, head coach Ben Johnson dug into his bag of tricks. Both Keenum and Bagent were on the field at the same time. While Keenum immediately ran off the field, both quarterbacks can technically say they started.

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

: FOX/FOX One pic.twitter.com/CX0d442xGE

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 4, 2026

Keenum did not come back into the game. Bagent went on to complete 25-of-34 passes for 268 yards and an interception. After that first play, there was no doubt as to who would be under center for Chicago.

Johnson clearly explained his Keenum decision after the Week 4 win. He was trying to pay both the veteran and Bagent some respect.

Chicago Bears give Case Keenum “first pitch”

With Keenum dominating on Monday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles, many thought he would be the traditional starter in Week 4. While that didn’t come to fruition, Johnson still had him on the field for a bit of gamesmanship and to show Keenum he’s appreciated in the quarterback room, via the head coach’s postgame press conference.

“I got all these memos saying that Tyson was starting before I even made an announcement,” Johnson said. “So I wanted to get Case out there. It was like his ceremonial first pitch out there. Handing off the torch.”

“I got all these memos saying Tyson was starting before I had ever made an announcement so I wanted to get case out there.”

Ben Johnson when asked about his thought process for first play of Bears/Jets: pic.twitter.com/eNjndA07dl

— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) October 4, 2026

Who starts between Bagent and Keenum, barring a Caleb Williams return, will again dominate the headline entering Week 5. For Johnson, the most crucial thing is that Chicago stays consistent no matter who is under center.

It seems unlikely both Keenum and Bagent will share the field again; although it can’t be ruled out with Johnson as a play caller. But on Sunday, the two-QB play welcomed Chicago to the Bagent era for however long it lasts.

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