The NFL world is focused on the Chicago Bears’ quarterback situation, and rightfully so, amid injuries to Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent that could keep them out of Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles on “Monday Night Football.”
The Eagles, though, are focused on last year.
This rematch of Week 13 from the 2025 regular season comes at an interesting time, not only for the Bears, but the NFC North as a whole.
Eagles Super Bowl Champion Gets Honest to Lead Bears News Roundup
Jordan Davis: Bears Rematch on Eagles’ Minds
The Bears defeated the Eagles 24-15 in Philadelphia last season. And while Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said they are preparing for the Bears offense irrespective of who is at QB, defensive tackle Jordan Davis noted that last year’s defeat still hits hard.
“It’s a painful week, because you got to watch that film over again,” the Super Bowl champion told reporters on September 24.
“It was enlightening after the game, and it was enlightening now this week. Especially playing a scheme that’s kind of similar-ish with our offense, just to find those cutback lanes and stuff like that. So, it’s one thing about just going out there and being disciplined, and it’s another thing about just playing style and being the defense we know we are.”
The Eagles enter this contest 2-0, averaging 24 points per game.
The Bears are allowing 23.0 points per game. However, whereas the Eagles have hit that mark in both games to start the season, the Bears followed up a 37-point effort on defense in Week 1 with a 9-point showing in Week 2.
The difference was the offense which went from 59 points in the opener to 3 points in Game 2, and it remains to be seen just how it will look without Williams at the helm from the outset.
NFC North Snapshot After ‘Thursday Night Football’
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert offered a snapshot of the NFC North amid the Green Bay Packers’ 35-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on “Thursday Night Football.”
“NFC North at the moment…,” Seifert posted on X on September 24, noting, “Bears down to QB3, Packers taking a beating from an 0-2 team at home, Lions No. 31 in scoring defense,” and adding, “Everything coming up Purple.”
That is obviously true with Minnesota have the only wins against NFC North opponents so far.
However, the Bears face the Vikings to close the 2026 regular season. If Williams’ absence is indeed short-term–if at all, it must be said, since it remains unofficial–that game will be key.
Bears Estimated Injury Report Paints Grim Picture
Bears head coach Ben Johnson said on Monday that he did not expect Williams to practice this week. That undercuts his reluctance to rule the third-year QB out in an official capacity. Bagent will also be hard-pressed to clear concussion protocol in time for Monday night.
That has set Case Keenum up to be the starter, all of which comes as no surprise at this point.
However, the Bears issued an estimated practice report on Thursday. It included Bagent and Williams as nonparticipants, but also Kyle Monangai, Tyrique Stevenson, and Cairo Santos.
Monangai and Stevenson were not present for the session the Bears held on Wednesday. Moreover, the media viewing period ended before Santos’ status would have become clear. The Bears did not issue a report for that session, further clouding the situation.
It must be emphasized that the Bears did not practice on Thursday. This was only an estimation.
Still, it set the stage for telling sessions on Friday and, with some players, Saturday, as the Bears creep closer to Monday Night against the Eagles.
Bears Shuffle Roster
Bonus news! The Bears have brought back rookie long snapper Beau Gardner. They cut ties with wide receiver Scotty Miller to add the specialist to their practice squad.
The Bears previously cut Gardner after claiming Scott Daly off waivers from the New Orleans Saints.
Gardner had multiple mishaps in the Bears’ Week 2 loss to the Vikings. Miller is a veteran and Super Bowl champion. He was also buried on the roster. It includes first- and second-round picks at the top of the depth chart and three coaching staff darlings behind them. That is before even getting to the practice squad.
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