LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears are but a few days from playing the Commanders and still don’t know who Washington will start at quarterback.

This isn’t one of those college football situations where a hard-headed coach is being overly dramatic by delaying an announcement.

Starting Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels missed two practices and most of a Week 7 win over Carolina with a ribs injury. He practiced Friday, but head coach Dan Quinn said the No. 2 overall draft pick’s status will be determined closer to kickoff.

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That creates some uncertainty about whether we’ll get the Caleb Williams vs. Daniels matchup everyone wants.

It’ll be a No. 1 overall draft pick vs. a No.2 either way, but Marcus Mariota might be the opponent.

The Bears defense won’t alter their game plan for the person behind center.

“It’s the same playing style,” cornerback Jaylon Johnson said. “They’re both a dual threat, they can extend plays with their legs, get on the perimeter and make good throws. Daniels is young and more dynamic. Mariota has experience and has seen more. That’s the biggest difference.”

Even if it’s a game-time decision, the Bears won’t be scrambling to adjust like they would for a mobile vs. pocket quarterback.

“You’re using the same offense, running the same plays,” Eberflus said. “It’s really not that big of an adjustment for us.”

Daniels and Mariota aren’t similar in age but are in most other attributes. Daniels is more dynamic and way more accurate, but Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury won’t flip the script while playing one quarterback or the other. Mariota can execute plays designed for Daniels. We saw that in Week 7, when Mariota pinch hit and completed 18-of-23 passes for 205 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.

That was against the NFL’s worst team. Now the Commanders will face one of the NFL’s best defenses.

“I don’t give a damn who’s out there,” Johnson said. “I’m looking forward to whoopin’ their ass either way. It doesn’t really mean too much for me. I know for us and the defense, we just want to go out there and win and dominate. That’s our mindset regardless of who the quarterback is.”

Eberflus was asked if he had a hunch which quarterback would play. He didn’t have one. After listening to him and defensive coordinator Eric Washington, that’s not their focus.

It’s on stopping a tough run game, limiting explosive plays and containing a mobile quarterback regardless of which name is back of the jersey.

“We’re focus on us and what we’re supposed to do,” defensive tackle Andrew Billings said. “If we execute well and stay on our keys, we should be fine.”