Bears' Tyson Bagent clears concussion protocol ahead of Monday's game vs. Eagles; Caleb Williams out

The Bears officially have a couple options at quarterback ahead of their Monday night showdown with the Eagles.

Backup QB Tyson Bagent, who on Saturday was listed as questionable to play, cleared concussion protocol on Sunday and was removed from the injury report.

Bagent progressed through protocol enough to practice in full during Chicago's final practice of the week after missing the previous two sessions.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that while Ben Johnson initially described Bagent to reporters Saturday morning as having cleared concussion protocol, Bagent actually progressed to the next step in the process, which allowed him to practice. After being symptom-free into Sunday, Bagent is in the clear, though Chicago hasn't named a starter with Caleb Williams ruled out due to a hamstring injury.

Case Keenum is also available and took starting snaps at the beginning of Chicago's practice week with Williams and Bagent sidelined.

Should the Bears deem Bagent is prepared enough to get the start, it would be his first since the 2023 campaign when, as an undrafted rookie, he went 2-2 for the Bears with 859 passing yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions across five total appearances.

He also came in for Williams on Sunday against the Vikings and went 5 of 9 for 54 yards during two fourth-quarter possessions. 

If the Bears were to turn to Keenum, the 38-year-old veteran would similarly be making his first start since 2023. He went 1-1 that season for the Texans, throwing for 291 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in what amounted to two of his four starts this decade. 

Regardless of who starts, they'll have their work cut out for them against a Philly defense that ranks fifth in the NFL against the pass through two weeks. Chicago measures up much better in the run game, as the Bears enter Week 3 sporting the top rushing offense. They'll likely look to attack the Eagles' 23rd-ranked run defense on the ground with D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai.

However, the passing game will still have a plethora of difference-makers available in Colston Loveland, Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, as well as Swift and Monangai on shorter-area targets. 

We'll see what Johnson draws up when the Bears kick off against the Eagles on Monday at 8:15 p.m. ET.