Caleb Williams injury could thrust Tyson Bagent into Bears' biggest game yet

The results of Caleb Williams' MRI on Monday were the best possible news; the Bears' franchise QB is considered week-to-week, although Ben Johnson did tell ESPN Radio that he expects Williams will "miss some time."

According to The Ringer's Tom Pelissero, there remains a slim chance that Williams will play in Week 3 against the Eagles on Monday Night Football. But if he can't go, Bagent will fill the QB1 role.

And this wouldn't be just another spot start. It would be the biggest moment of Bagent's career.

Bagent nearly gave Bears a chance Sunday

Bagent was thrown into a difficult situation against the Vikings.

Williams went down in the fourth quarter with Chicago trailing 6-3 and the Bears already deep in Vikings territory. Bagent initially couldn't finish that possession, and Minnesota blocked Cairo Santos' ensuing 23-yard field-goal attempt.

But Chicago's backup got another chance.

With less than two minutes remaining and the Bears trailing 9-3, Bagent moved the offense from its own 35 to Minnesota's 12. He connected with Luther Burden III multiple times on the drive, including an 18-yard completion, and hit Rome Odunze for 21 yards.

However, the comeback ended when Dallas Turner sacked Bagent on the game's final play.

Bagent finished 5-of-9 for 54 yards. And while it wasn't enough to win, it did remind everyone why the Bears have remained so comfortable with him behind Williams.

Bears have invested in Bagent for exactly this situation

Bagent isn't an unknown commodity anymore. He started four games as a rookie in 2023 and went 2-2. The Bears later signed him to a two-year, $10 million extension, marking a significant commitment to a backup quarterback.

Johnson has made it known how much he values Bagent on the roster. He previously described Bagent as a player he believes belongs among the NFL's top 32 quarterbacks, essentially saying he views his backup as capable of starting in the league.

Chicago may be about to find out.

The Eagles improved to 2-0 Sunday and opened as road favorites for next Monday night's game, although the uncertainty surrounding Williams obviously affects the early market.

Even the positive MRI results make it unlikely Williams will be back in time for Monday night, giving Bagent a chance to shine in the spotlight.

The Bears spent the last several years developing him, trusted him enough to give him a multiyear extension, and kept him in place as Williams' primary backup. They hoped they wouldn't have to find out how valuable that investment could become.

By next Monday night, they might.