Case Keenum, 38, will start for the Chicago Bears against the Eagles on Monday night after Caleb Williams injured his hamstring, according to NFL Network and the team’s official announcement. Tyson Bagent cleared concussion protocol but is expected to back up Keenum, per ESPN.
Case Keenum, the Bears’ 38-year-old backup quarterback, will make his first regular-season start since 2023 when Chicago faces the Eagles on Monday night. Caleb Williams, the team’s rookie starter, was ruled out with a hamstring injury, leaving Keenum as the primary option despite his two-season absence from live action. Tyson Bagent, who cleared concussion protocol, will serve as the backup, but head coach Ben Johnson confirmed Keenum’s selection as the starter.
Keenum’s Unlikely Comeback
Keenum’s start represents a stark departure from his recent role as a mentor within the Bears’ quarterback room. The veteran, who has 66 career starts and a 62.3% completion rate, joined the team last year and did not appear in a regular-season game. His return to the field comes after a two-year hiatus, during which he focused on coaching and development.
Williams’ Absence and Bagent’s Role
Bagent’s availability adds complexity to the situation. He had been the primary backup until Keenum’s resurgence, but Johnson’s comments suggest the final call was influenced by Keenum’s familiarity with the offense.
Johnson’s Confidence in Keenum
Keenum’s selection also reflects the Bears’ trust in his ability to manage the offense. Despite his age and inactivity, the team believes his experience and understanding of the system make him the best fit. He came highly recommended just in terms of the type of person that he was,
Johnson said, per chicagobears.com. And as we envisioned what that role could be like as the third quarterback potentially and competing for backup at that point — we hadn’t had any time with Tyson, so there was going to be a competition for him as well — that was really the talking point.
What This Means for the Bears
The decision underscores the Bears’ reliance on veteran leadership amid a challenging season. With Williams sidelined and Bagent’s viability uncertain, Keenum’s start is a pragmatic choice.
For now, the focus is on Monday’s game. The Eagles, led by Jalen Hurts, present a formidable challenge, and Keenum’s performance will be critical. If he struggles, the Bears may revisit their quarterback situation, but for the moment, Johnson’s decision stands. We’ve got a lot of good choices,
the coach said. We’ll come together as a staff and make sure we’re on the same page.