Bears make massive mistake by starting Tyson Bagent vs. Packers

Case Keenum has to replace Tyson Bagent for the Bears

Bagent was finally pulled at the start of the fourth quarter, with Keenum coming in and promptly throwing an interception under pressure in the end zone to stop another drive. 

However, the game was already decided at that point, thanks in part to Bagent's putrid play. Keenum finished with 108 passing yards, but most of that was accumulated with Green Bay playing soft defense.

While Chicago coaches praised Bagent throughout the week, it is clear that he isn't the answer under center should Williams miss any more time.

Looking back, Bagent's play against the Jets was a bit of fool's gold. He threw one interception and had another taken away by a penalty. This was against a secondary that hadn't logged an interception in the 20 games prior to that.

Take that kind of performance into a rivalry game in hostile Lambeau Field, and it's clear it was a spot that called for the 14-year veteran Keenum versus Bagent, playing in his 14th game over his last four seasons.

When Bears coach Ben Johnson chose Keenum to start over Bagent in a Week 3 win against the Philadelphia Eagles, it was because of Keenum's comfort with the game plan as Bagent worked his way back from concussion protocol. Nothing about the Jets game should have changed that logic.

It's clear that the Bears were seduced by a win and that siren brought Chicago's ship crashing onto shore in Green Bay.

With Williams' return for next week's game against the Atlanta Falcons still up in the air, Johnson and the Bears have to pull the Bagent plug and start Keenum if needed. 

Keenum may not offer the same long-term upside as Bagent, but Chicago doesn’t need that with Williams coming back … and certainly doesn’t need a developmental project under center right now as it competes to stay near the top of the NFC North. Chicago needs a quarterback who can manage the offense, avoid costly mistakes and give the defense a chance to keep the team in games.

The Falcons could present another challenge next week, especially if Williams remains sidelined. Johnson has already shown he trusts Keenum in the right circumstances. Now, after what happened at Lambeau Field, the Bears should know better than to let one good afternoon against the Jets change that.

Bagent kept the ship afloat for a week. Against Green Bay, he showed he can't be trusted to steer it.