The Chicago Bears are expected to turn to veteran Case Keenum at quarterback for Monday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles, with Caleb Williams sidelined and Tyson Bagent short on practice time after clearing concussion protocol.
Williams has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, forcing Chicago to reach deeper on its quarterback depth chart for the Week 3 matchup. Bagent was the likely next option, but he spent most of the week in the league’s concussion protocol.
Bagent received clearance late in the week and participated in only one practice. With the Eagles’ defensive game plan already installed, Bears coach Ben Johnson is expected to give Keenum the start.
Quick facts
- Case Keenum is expected to start for Chicago against Philadelphia on Monday night.
- Caleb Williams is unavailable because of a hamstring injury.
- Tyson Bagent cleared concussion protocol late in the week after missing most practices.
- Keenum is in his 14th NFL season and has made 66 career starts.
- The 38-year-old last appeared as a regular-season starter with the Houston Texans in 2023.
Keenum, 38, has not thrown a regular-season pass since making two starts for Houston in 2023. He has primarily filled a veteran backup and mentor role in recent seasons, but Chicago will now need him to operate Johnson’s offense against one of the NFL’s stronger defenses.
Across his career, Keenum has completed 62.3 percent of his passes with 79 touchdown throws and 51 interceptions. His 66 starts give the Bears an experienced option, even if he has had limited live-game work over the past two years.
The immediate question is how much of Keenum’s former mobility and arm strength remains after his extended stretch away from regular offensive duty. Chicago’s decision indicates confidence that he can handle protections, get the offense into the proper calls and make sound reads under pressure.
For the Bears, the quarterback situation will be one of the central storylines when they face Philadelphia in Week 3. Keenum’s ability to avoid mistakes and keep the offense on schedule could determine how competitive Chicago can be with its starting quarterback unavailable.
