Case Keenum was supposed to be the experienced voice in the Chicago Bears’ quarterback room. On Monday night, he is expected to become the voice in the huddle.
With Caleb Williams ruled out because of a hamstring injury, NFL Network reported Monday morning that Keenum is expected to start against the unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field. Tyson Bagent cleared concussion protocol Sunday and is available, but Keenum spent much of last week working with Chicago’s first-team offense.
It would be Keenum’s first regular-season start since 2023 and the 67th of his NFL career. For a player who entered the league undrafted in 2012, reaching another start at age 38 is a story in itself.
The Bears have seen Keenum prepare for this
Keenum joined Chicago last year and did not appear in a regular-season game. That can make a backup quarterback easy to overlook from the outside. Inside the building, his job has involved learning Ben Johnson’s offense, helping the other quarterbacks and staying ready without knowing when he might be needed.
Bears are expected to start Case Keenum at QB against the Eagles on Monday Night Football. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/a605eGmj6U
— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2026
Bears offensive coordinator Press Taylor praised Keenum’s professionalism last week. Taylor pointed to the range of roles Keenum has held, from undrafted newcomer to starter to veteran reserve, as part of what makes him valuable now.
Chicago needs more than a good story, of course. The Eagles are 2-0, and the Bears managed only three points in last week’s loss to Minnesota. Williams’ absence takes away a quarterback who had started every Bears regular-season and playoff game since he was drafted first overall in 2024.
There is a path to making Keenum’s assignment manageable. D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai have combined for 316 rushing yards through two games. Last November, Chicago ran for 281 yards in a 24-15 win at Philadelphia. An effective ground game Monday would give Keenum shorter throws and keep the Bears from asking him to rescue every possession.
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Long-standing career under center in the NFL
Keenum has played for eight NFL franchises and thrown for 15,175 yards. Those numbers speak to how long he has stayed in the league. Monday’s opportunity says something about why: When Chicago suddenly needed another quarterback, the veteran who had been doing the quiet work all along was ready to take the call.
