It is likely that Chicago Bears superstar quarterback Caleb Williams will miss the highly anticipated Monday night matchup against Jalen Hurts and the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. With Bears second string quarterback Tyson Bagent listed as doubtful with a concussion, all signs are pointing towards 38 year old journeyman quarterback Case Keenum suiting up for his first NFL start since 2023.
Williams, the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, went down with a non-contact leg injury late in the fourth quarter against the Bears’ divisional rival Minnesota Vikings. This injury to the Bears playcaller ultimately stumped a comeback attempt, leading the team to lose in a 9-3 score, dropping the teams record to 1-1 on the season.
Many fans watching the game watched Williams running for a first down, but abruptly sliding down. A silent Soldier Field watched on as their franchise quarterback screamed out in agony while grabbing towards his right leg. Many of those in attendance and watching almost instantly assumed the worst, due to the nature of the injury being a non contact leg injury. Many fans and parts of NFL media presumed Williams had possibly torn his ACL or achilles tendon, which are devastating and possibly season ending injuries for professional athletes.
Junior Yousif Sami, who was watching the game this previous Sunday, was one of those individuals who feared for the worse regarding his team’s best player, “At first I saw him go down and I was like ‘Oh, that doesn’t look too good’” said Sami.
After the true severity of the injury came out to be nowhere as bad as people were speculating, many people across social media platforms began to call out Williams and his reaction to being injured, and carted off the field for an injury many people would deem to be unnecessary for the reaction Williams gave.
Social studies teacher Brian Schaeffer gave his input on his opinion regarding people calling out Williams on social media. “It kind of comes with the territory of being a superstar quarterback, Nobody knows how much pain he actually was in…” Schaeffer said.
With both Williams and Bagent listed as doubtful going into week 3, third string quarterback Case Keenum. Keenum, who has only thrown a single NFL pass since 2023, is now being expected by the whole city of Chicago to be able to perform up to NFL standards, and steal the Bears a win with Williams’ injury.
Many Bears fans have faith in Keenum to be able to step under center and get the Bears back in the win column, including junior and lifelong Bears fan, Luke Sweeney.
“I have a lot of faith that Case [Keenum] will be able to win us a game. I think a lot of the game plan will be centered around the run game since that’s what won us our game last year against Philly” Sweeney said.
For the time being, the Bears’ path back to being above .500 relies solely on a 38 year old third string QB, who will be tested by the defense of one of the few remaining undefeated teams in the NFL.