Packers Will Face Another Backup QB in Week 5

The Green Bay Packers improved to 2-2 following an ugly-but-good victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4. They’ll look to build off that win Sunday at Lambeau Field against the rival Chicago Bears, who will enter the game shorthanded.

For the fourth time in five weeks, the Packers will match up against a backup quarterback.

On Monday, Bears head coach Ben Johnson confirmed to ESPN Chicago that Tyson Bagent will get the start at Green Bay. According to Johnson, the Bears want to give starter Caleb Williams, still out with a hamstring injury suffered in Week 2, more time to recover.

On the surface, Williams being ruled out is a huge advantage for the Packers, but it’s one they’ve failed to capitalize on this season. Minus New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith in Week 2, the Packers have faced backups Carson Wentz, Michael Penix, and Jalon Daniels, going 1-2 in those games.

In Sunday’s win over the Buccaneers, the Packers nearly let Daniels, an undrafted rookie, beat them. Daniels wasn’t perfect, throwing two interceptions, but was 19-of-27 passing for 148 yards and a touchdown otherwise.

Bagent has played sparingly for the Bears over the last four seasons, throwing for 1,044 yards with three touchdowns, six interceptions, and a 75.3 passer rating over five career starts. In Chicago’s 23-12 Week 4 victory over the New York Jets, he finished 25-of-34 for 268 yards and an interception.

The Road Gets Tougher For Packers Defense

Barring injury, three of the next five quarterbacks the Packers will face rank among the top 10 in QBR, including Dallas Cowboys Dak Prescott (4th), Carolina Panthers Bryce Young (8th), and Detroit Lions Jared Goff (10th).

Prescott might present the first real challenge for the Packers defense. The four-time Pro Bowler ranks sixth in passing yards (1,065 yards), fourth in completion percentage (70.0 percent), and third in touchdown passes (8), with only one interception through four weeks.