Imagine telling Chicago Bears fans last week that a 38-year-old quarterback, who hadn’t played in an NFL game for 1,009 days, would lead them to a decisive 27-7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. They would’ve laughed you out of the room. But that’s exactly what Case Keenum did Monday night, and his shocking performance is making Chicago’s quarterback situation a whole lot more interesting, giving Caleb Williams a real chance to take his time recovering.
The QB Nobody Saw Coming Delivers
Keenum, an undrafted veteran who hadn’t played a full season since 2018 and carried a career starter record of 30-36, stepped into a whirlwind. Star rookie Caleb Williams was sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, an injury typically requiring three to four weeks of recovery. Then, QB2 Tyson Bagent suffered a concussion. While Bagent was cleared to play, a lack of practice reps pushed Keenum, the QB3, into the starting role for Week 3. What unfolded was pure gridiron magic. Keenum went 24-of-34 for 247 yards, throwing for two touchdowns and adding another touchdown on the ground. That bold QB sneak on the goal line wasn’t just a score; it made the almost 39-year-old Keenum the oldest player in Bears history to run for a touchdown. You can’t make this stuff up!
Keenum’s self-belief after so long on the sidelines is inspiring. He said it himself: “My word of the week was trust. Trust my preparation, trust my abilities, trust my feet, trust my eyes, trust my O-line, trust the play call, trust the play design. I just trusted it and it worked.” And it absolutely did. This win puts Keenum in the history books alongside Ryan Fitzpatrick as the only quarterbacks to win as a starter for seven different franchises. And get this: Keenum already has more touchdown passes this season than defending AFC Champion Drake Maye (who has one) and more rushing touchdowns than Super Bowl champion Saquon Barkley (who has zero), despite playing in two fewer games. The man is on fire!
What Happens Next in the Windy City?
Despite the game ball and exceeding all expectations, Keenum’s future for Week 4 isn’t a sure thing. Head coach Ben Johnson hasn’t named the starter, and Bagent still holds that QB2 title. Johnson made it clear, saying, “We’ll have a discussion as a coaching staff, and we’ll see where we need to go from here. But I said it last week, and I’ll say it again: There was a reason why Tyson ended training camp as our No. 2 quarterback.” Still, after a primetime performance like that, Chicago needs to stick with Keenum and ride this momentum. With Keenum showing he can lead, Williams can focus fully on his hamstring recovery, ensuring he returns at 100 percent. The Bears are facing an undisclosed opponent next week, and it’ll be fascinating to see if Keenum gets the nod to keep this unexpected story going.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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