Case Keenum made a dramatic comeback to the starting quarterback role, delivering two touchdown passes in his first NFL start in nearly three years as the Chicago Bears dominated the Philadelphia Eagles 27-7 on Monday night. Keenum, who stepped in for the injured Caleb Williams, threw for 247 yards on 24 completions out of 34 attempts and capped his performance with a one-yard rushing touchdown—the first he had scored on the ground since 2019. The score came with just over seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, completing a lengthy 13‑play, eight‑minute drive that showcased his poise and veteran savvy.
The Bears' victory marked Keenum’s first snap in an NFL game since he started for the Houston Texans in a 36-22 loss to Cleveland in December 2023. Reflecting on the opportunity, Keenum said, "To get a shot again like this? You dream of it.
That's why I'm still here doing this when I get knocked down. I got knocked down my whole career. I just keep getting up, coming to work, just keep bouncing back." His words underscored a career defined by resilience, having moved through multiple teams and serving as a reliable backup before finally earning a chance to lead a franchise.
Williams was sidelined with a right hamstring strain, and the Bears promoted Tyson Bagent to the backup role after he cleared the league’s concussion protocol on Sunday. Head coach Ben Johnson praised Keenum’s football IQ, noting, "He knows where everyone is supposed to be on every single play and so he is really quick to recognise coverage.
He knows why we're calling the play and what we're looking for and if we're not getting that he's accelerating through it really quickly. That's what you get when you're 15-plus years playing that position in this league." Chicago’s offense received a significant boost from wide receiver Kalif Raymond, who logged six catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. The Bears, now 2‑1 on the season after rebounding from a painful 9‑3 loss to Minnesota, displayed balanced playmaking on both sides of the ball. Philadelphia, also 2‑1, struggled with ball security, committing three turnovers and failing to record a defensive takeaway for the third straight game—a concerning trend early in the campaign.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 16 of 25 passes for 153 yards but threw an interception, while running back Saquon Barkley contributed 82 rushing yards on 15 carries. After the loss, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni admitted, "We all have to own that loss right there.
I don't think anybody coached well. I don't think anyone played well. It was a true team loss.
And when it's a true team loss, you know I have to look at myself first." Statistically, Keenum’s line read 24/34, 247 yards, two TDs; D'Andre Swift added 20 carries for 84 yards on the ground; and Raymond’s six receptions accounted for 90 yards and a score. On the Eagles side, Hurts’ 16/25 effort yielded 153 yards with one pick; Barkley’s 15 carries produced 82 yards; and DeVonta Smith caught six passes for 65 yards. Keenum’s first drive ended with a clever shovel pass to Luther Burden for an eight‑yard touchdown.
Later, he connected with Raymond on a deep 41‑yard strike in the second half, further stretching the Eagles’ defense. Early in the game, the Eagles struck first, moving deep into Chicago territory before Hurts absorbed a hard hit from linebacker D'Marco Jackson along the sideline.
The impact forced Hurts to leave the field for a concussion evaluation. While he waited for clearance, backup quarterback Andy Dalton was intercepted by rookie Dillon Thieneman in the back of the end zone with just over six minutes left in the first half. Hurts later explained his frustration, saying, "I was just waiting for the thumbs up. I felt fine, we already checked it.
I don't know the extent of the process. Obviously, I wish we could have expedited things. I know I felt fine." He did manage to score on a quarterback sneak as the first half expired, but Chicago seized control for the remainder of the game. In the third quarter, linebacker TJ Edwards picked off Hurts, solidifying the Bears’ defensive dominance.
Earlier, Edwards had dropped a potential interception on a third‑down play during Philadelphia’s opening drive of the second half, but he redeemed himself with the later pick. Chicago amassed 24 first downs and rushed for 128 yards, while the Eagles struggled to generate momentum. For comparison, the Bears had recorded 28 first downs and 281 rushing yards in a 24‑15 win at Philadelphia last season, indicating a consistent ability to move the ball against this division rival.
The game not only highlighted Keenum’s readiness to step into a starting role after a long hiatus but also emphasized the importance of veteran leadership in a young Bears squad. As the season progresses, Chicago will look to build on this performance, while Philadelphia must address its turnover issues and defensive lapses if it hopes to contend for a playoff spot. Fans can continue to follow the 2026 NFL season live on Sky Sports, which will broadcast every game, including the playoffs and Super Bowl LXI scheduled for February 14, 2027. Viewers also have the option to stream games without a contract via the NOW platform, taking advantage of the latest Sky Sports deals.