Case Keenum’s return to the starting lineup gave the Chicago Bears a commanding 27-7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, but it did not settle the club’s quarterback decision for Sunday’s home game against the New York Jets.
With Caleb Williams expected to miss three to four weeks because of a Grade 2 hamstring strain, Chicago could again turn to Keenum when it faces New York at 1 p.m. ET on Fox. Tyson Bagent, however, was active against Philadelphia after clearing concussion protocol Sunday afternoon, leaving coach Ben Johnson with a choice between the veteran who just delivered a standout performance and the quarterback who had been Chicago’s No. 2 entering the season.
“We’ll meet as a staff and determine the direction from here,” Johnson said after the win. “I said last week there was a reason Tyson finished camp as the second quarterback.”
Williams was declared unavailable Saturday, while Bagent had spent most of the preceding week in concussion protocol. Although Bagent was cleared in time to dress and remain on the sideline Monday, Johnson said it would not have been right to put him in the starting lineup after only one practice day. Keenum instead moved swiftly from third-string duty into his first regular-season start in 1,009 days.
The 38-year-old made the most of it, completing 24 of 34 throws for 247 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He was not sacked, added a quarterback-sneak touchdown and earned particularly strong praise from Johnson, who called the performance extraordinary.
Keenum handles Eagles pressure
Chicago leaned heavily on play-action, and Keenum was nearly flawless on those calls, going 11-for-12 for 128 yards and eight first downs. He also punished Philadelphia’s blitzes, completing all 11 attempts for 145 yards and two scores while averaging 12.4 yards per attempt.
Even with Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio sending added pressure, Keenum stayed composed. He faced pressure on 10 of 35 dropbacks, or 28.6 percent, and still averaged 9.9 yards per attempt in those situations. His average release time was 2.41 seconds, the quickest by a Bears quarterback since Week 6 of the 2023 season.
That earlier benchmark came when Bagent relieved an injured Justin Fields against Minnesota. Bagent subsequently started Chicago’s next four games, with the Bears splitting those contests. Chicago’s investment in Bagent remains significant: his two-year, $10 million deal places him among the NFL’s better-paid backup quarterbacks.
Johnson said Keenum’s 15 seasons in the league were evident in the way he processed the Eagles’ coverages and moved through progressions. “He understands where every player belongs on each call,” Johnson said. “He recognizes coverage quickly, understands what the concept is designed to find, and moves on fast when it is not there. A quarterback with that much experience has encountered just about everything.”
Keenum has spent much of his career navigating uncertain roles. In Minnesota in 2017, he replaced Sam Bradford after Bradford’s recurring knee trouble resurfaced following Week 1. Keenum went 11-3 as the Vikings’ starter, helped fuel an eight-game winning streak and threw the famed Minneapolis Miracle touchdown to Stefon Diggs in the divisional round against New Orleans. Minnesota’s season ended against Philadelphia in the NFC Championship Game, and former Vikings coach Mike Zimmer nevertheless handled the starting decision week to week.
That history has taught Keenum not to assume anything after one productive night. Addressing teammates after Monday’s win, he said the opportunity meant a great deal after football had been taken away from him at different points of his career. He credited Johnson for bringing him back to a situation that renewed his love for the game, and said having his family and children watch made the moment especially meaningful.
For now, the Bears have a favorable problem at quarterback. Bagent would have started against the Eagles if not for the concussion, but Keenum’s efficient showing gives Chicago another credible option while Williams works his way back from the hamstring injury.
