NFL Predictions: Will the Bears backup QB magic continue vs. the Jets?

Posted by Admin October 2, 2026 NFL

When the schedule was announced, most Chicago Bears fans penciled this one as a win, but that was before Caleb Williams suffered a grade 2 hamstring pull and before we saw how much better the New York Jets have looked. The Jets may be 1-2, but they played the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions tough. It took overtime for the Packers to sneak by them in Week 2, and the Lions scored the go-ahead touchdown with 2: 25 left on the clock.

Thirty-six-year-old Geno Smith has been slinging it for New York, throwing for 783 yards through three games, 4 touchdowns, and no picks, with a league-leading 75.5 completion percentage.

Even if the Bears were at full strength, this one wouldn’t be the gimme many thought, but that said, I like the Bears to win; regardless of who is playing quarterback.

Head coach Ben Johnson isn’t going to tip his hand, as he wants to keep the Jets guessing. On the Amazon Prime Video Thursday Night postgame show, James Palmer said that Caleb Williams has been living in the trainer’s room to try to get his hamstring right but is still likely out. He also said the Bears seem to be leaning towards Bagent to start on Sunday.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter speculated it’ll be Bagent, and while he made it clear it wasn’t a report (just his opinion), he went on to list several reasons he believes it’ll be Bagent.

I’ve been on the Tyson train since Ben Johnson spoke after the Monday night game. It just makes sense given that he’s the backup, Ben has said he believes Bagent is good enough to be a starter in the league, and he’s one of the best-paid number twos in the NFL. And besides, that Keenum moment was magic, so why tempt fate?

Our partners at FanDuel Sportsbook have the Bears as a 3.5-point favorite, and I think they’ll win by at least a touchdown. The weather is expected to be nice in Chicago, so I expect Ben’s offense to be humming, which is why I like the 42.5 over to hit too.