Ben Johnson reveals how Bears will handle playing without Caleb Williams

The natural assumption is that Johnson has no choice but to dramatically alter his offense if the 38-year-old Keenum has to make his first NFL start since 2023. But the second-year head coach pushed back on that idea Wednesday.

"I mean, it's the same thing," Johnson said when asked how much the game plan would change depending on the quarterback. "We're going to look for plays that we feel like might have a chance to get guys open, create some space in the passing game, running lanes in the running game."

Bears don't want to play scared against Eagles

There's an obvious temptation when a starting quarterback goes down. Shrink the offense. Run the football. Protect the backup. Avoid mistakes.

But Johnson doesn't sound interested in turning the Bears into an ultra-conservative offense simply because Williams might not play. That doesn't mean Keenum would be asked to replicate everything Williams provides. I mean, he can't.

Williams' ability to create outside structure and threaten defenses with his legs is one of the defining characteristics of Chicago's offense. Keenum is a dramatically different quarterback.

But Johnson's larger point is important. The Bears still have Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland, D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. And they still have an offensive line that can pave the way for a lot of points.

Johnson isn't preparing as though the Bears have to survive Monday night. He's preparing to win the same way he has since arriving in Chicago last season.

Keenum gets the first opportunity

The quarterback situation remains fluid, and Johnson said Wednesday that Chicago isn't yet sure who will start against Philadelphia.

"We're fortunate here," Johnson said. "We've got three guys that can play ball in this league, that have won games in this league."

Williams isn't expected to practice this week, and Bagent remains in concussion protocol. Keenum practiced Wednesday while rookie Miller Moss, currently on the practice squad, worked with the second team.

That doesn't guarantee Keenum starts Monday, but it does mean he's getting valuable QB1 reps while Chicago waits for the latest injury updates.

The rest of the offense has to carry more weight

Johnson made another point Wednesday that might be even more important.

"It's not just on one player — it never is," he said. "So we got 10 other guys out there with our quarterback. They got to help champion the cause and carry their weight as well."

That's where Monday night's game may ultimately be decided.

Chicago cannot expect Keenum — or Bagent, if he's cleared — to make up for penalties, turnovers, and missed opportunities the way Williams sometimes can.

Week 2 was a perfect example of the kinds of errors that can separate a win from a loss.

The Bears committed two turnovers and eight penalties in their 9-3 loss to Minnesota. D'Andre Swift fumbled at the Vikings' 1-yard line. Cairo Santos had a short field goal blocked.

Chicago repeatedly wasted opportunities, and that can't happen again against the Eagles.

Johnson's first real quarterback test in Chicago

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Johnson has never called an NFL game in which he started a backup quarterback during his time as a play caller in Detroit and Chicago. Monday could be his first.

That makes this more than a test of Keenum or Bagent. It's a test of Johnson as a playcaller.

And judging by what Johnson said Wednesday, he isn't interested in lowering expectations for his offense simply because Williams might not be there.