Philadelphia arrives at 2-0 for Monday Night Football, while Chicago must navigate a major quarterback change without Caleb Williams
The Philadelphia Eagles will put their perfect start to the 2026 NFL season on the line Monday night when they visit the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in a Week 3 matchup featuring two teams heading into the game with very different circumstances. Philadelphia enters at 2-0, while Chicago is 1-1 after a difficult loss to Minnesota.
For the Bears, however, the biggest storyline is under center. Caleb Williams has been ruled out with a hamstring injury suffered during Chicago's Week 2 loss to the Vikings. The injury ends Williams' streak of starting every regular-season and postseason game since Chicago selected him No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Veteran Case Keenum is expected to start, according to NFL Network, with Tyson Bagent available after clearing the NFL's concussion protocol. Bagent replaced Williams against Minnesota before suffering his concussion, creating an unusual quarterback situation heading into Monday night's game.
The Eagles, meanwhile, enter Chicago with wins over Washington and Tennessee. Philadelphia defeated the Commanders 24-22 in Week 1 before beating the Titans 24-20 on the road in Week 2. The Eagles are therefore looking to move to 3-0 while continuing to build momentum early in the season.
The matchup also presents an intriguing contrast in offensive approaches. Chicago entered Week 3 as the NFL's leading rushing team, averaging 212.5 rushing yards per game. D'Andre Swift has rushed for 169 yards and three touchdowns on 34 attempts, while Kyle Monangai has added 147 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.
That running game could become even more important with Williams unavailable. A strong ground attack would allow Chicago to control the tempo, reduce the pressure on Keenum and Bagent, and force Philadelphia to defend the entire field rather than consistently putting the game on the shoulders of Chicago's replacement quarterback.
The Eagles' defense, however, is built to make that difficult. Philadelphia's front features Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, while Zack Baun leads the linebacker group and Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean headline the secondary. The unit is coordinated by Vic Fangio, who previously served as Chicago's defensive coordinator from 2015 through 2018.
One of the most important individual battles will take place in the trenches between Bears right guard Jonah Jackson and Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter. Jackson has started all 19 regular-season games and both playoff games since joining Chicago, while Carter has been voted to the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons.
Philadelphia's objective will be to make Chicago sustain long drives. The Eagles have emphasized limiting explosive plays and forcing offenses to consistently execute rather than allowing one big play to change the game. That approach could be especially significant against a Bears offense adjusting to a different quarterback.
On the other side, Chicago's defense has an opportunity to keep the game within reach. The Bears allowed Minnesota only 246 total yards and 11 first downs last week and held the Vikings to three conversions on 13 third-down attempts. Although Chicago ultimately lost 9-3, the defensive performance provided a foundation for Monday night's matchup.
The challenge becomes significantly more complicated against Jalen Hurts. The Philadelphia quarterback has completed 64.5 percent of his passes through two games for 467 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions, producing a 100.7 passer rating. His ability to extend plays with his legs adds another dimension that Chicago's defense must account for on every down.
Hurts also has several weapons capable of creating problems in the passing game. DeVonta Smith enters the matchup with 13 receptions for 170 yards and a touchdown, including a 10-catch, 117-yard performance against Tennessee. Dontayvion Wicks has also emerged as another receiving option with seven catches for 147 yards and a touchdown through two games.
Chicago will also have to account for Saquon Barkley, who has 92 rushing yards on 19 carries through the opening two games. Barkley dealt with a stinger during Philadelphia's Week 2 victory but practiced fully and is available for Monday night's contest. His presence gives the Eagles another way to attack a Bears defense that cannot afford to focus exclusively on Hurts.
Philadelphia will not enter the game at full strength. Wide receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, tight end Dallas Goedert and offensive tackle Fred Johnson have been ruled out. Linebacker Jonathan Greenard is questionable, while Barkley, Smith and Carter are among the players listed as available.
The Bears also have injury concerns beyond Williams. Linebacker Noah Sewell and defensive lineman Shemar Turner are unavailable, while Bagent has been cleared from concussion protocol. Grady Jarrett, Kyle Monangai, Cairo Santos and Tyrique Stevenson were listed as available heading into the game.
For Chicago, the formula will likely revolve around complementary football: establish the running game, protect the quarterback, avoid turnovers and make Philadelphia repeatedly execute long drives. The Bears' defense demonstrated last week that it can keep an opponent out of the end zone, but facing an Eagles offense led by Hurts presents a substantially different challenge.
Philadelphia's priorities will be equally clear. The Eagles need to pressure the Bears' quarterback without allowing Chicago's running game to dictate the contest. If Philadelphia can force Chicago into obvious passing situations, Carter and the rest of the defensive front could have opportunities to disrupt the Bears' offense.
The matchup also carries some recent history. Chicago defeated Philadelphia 24-15 in Philadelphia last November, rushing for 281 yards in that contest. Bears offensive coordinator Press Taylor, however, emphasized that last year's result has no bearing on Monday night's game. The two teams enter this meeting with different personnel, different circumstances and a new season underway.
Ultimately, the central question heading into Monday Night Football is how Chicago's offense will function without Williams. The Bears still have one of the league's most productive rushing attacks entering Week 3, while Philadelphia brings an undefeated record and a defense designed to eliminate explosive plays. For the Eagles, it is an opportunity to continue an unbeaten opening; for the Bears, it is a test of their depth, adaptability and ability to win with a different quarterback leading the offense.
Game Information: Monday, September 28, 2026, 8:15 p.m. ET / 7:15 p.m. CT, Soldier Field, Chicago.
