Case Keenum returned to game action for the first time since 2023 and delivered a poised, productive performance Monday night, directing the Chicago Bears to a 27-7 victory over the previously unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles.
Keenum leads Chicago past unbeaten Eagles
The 38-year-old quarterback completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns as Chicago improved to 2-1. With the Bears unable to establish their ground game for much of the first three quarters, Keenum consistently found answers through the air against Vic Fangio’s defense.
He also finished four carries for six yards and scored on a quarterback sneak that effectively sealed the outcome. At 38 years and 223 days old, Keenum became the oldest player in Bears history to score a rushing touchdown, surpassing Dave Krieg, who had held the mark at 38 years and 49 days.
- Passing: 24 completions on 34 attempts, 247 yards, two touchdowns.
- Rushing: Four attempts, six yards and one touchdown.
- Team result: Bears 27, Eagles 7.
- Historic note: Keenum is now Chicago’s oldest rushing-touchdown scorer in the franchise’s 107-year history.
Quick decisions overcome stalled rushing attack
Chicago leaned heavily on Keenum’s timing, experience and command of the offense while Philadelphia limited the Bears on the ground early. Keenum moved the ball with quick throws, navigated pressure and repeatedly identified the appropriate target before the Eagles could create disruption.
He averaged 12.4 yards per attempt against blitzes and 9.9 yards per attempt when pressured. The Bears also operated from under center on 58.0% of their offensive snaps, their highest rate since Week 14 of the 2025 season.
That alignment produced 6.9 yards per play. Chicago posted a season-best rushing success rate of 46.2% and an 85.7% passing success rate from under center, the second-best under-center passing success rate by a Ben Johnson-coached team.
Johnson praised Keenum for protecting the football and making sound, efficient choices when the offense needed to pivot away from the run. The coach said Keenum’s knowledge of each assignment allowed him to diagnose coverages quickly, understand the purpose of the call and move rapidly to another option when the first look was unavailable.
Experience pays off in unexpected opportunity
Keenum’s 14-year NFL career has included the Minneapolis Miracle and stops in and out of starting jobs, but he said the chance to play again reflected the work required to stay prepared. He pointed to offseason training, diet and the limited practice repetitions he received during camp while working as the third quarterback.
“You imagine moments like this when you are young,” Keenum said. “But there is a lot behind it: the preparation, taking care of your body and continuing to work when the opportunities are limited. I have been knocked down throughout my career, but I keep coming back to work and responding.”
Johnson said the Bears needed that kind of performance after the rushing attack started slowly. He credited Keenum’s enthusiastic preparation during the week and called the outing evidence of the strength of Chicago’s quarterback room.
Week 4 starter remains undecided
Johnson did not name a starting quarterback for Chicago’s Week 4 matchup with the New York Jets. After Keenum’s sharp return against one of the NFC’s top opponents, however, the Bears have shown they can rely on the veteran if he gets another call.
