Case Keenum made a dramatic comeback in his first NFL start in nearly three years, steering the Chicago Bears to a decisive 27-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. Replacing the injured Caleb Williams, Keenum threw for two touchdowns and added a rushing score, showcasing why veteran quarterbacks can still be game‑changers even after long absences.
Keenum entered the game with a simple but powerful mission: prove that he still belongs in the league. He completed 24 of 34 attempts for a total of 247 yards, a performance that highlighted his accuracy and poise under pressure.
Late in the fourth quarter, with just over seven minutes left on the clock, Keenum capped a methodical 13‑play, eight‑minute drive with a one‑yard quarterback sneak. It was his first rushing touchdown since the 2019 season, a moment that underscored both his perseverance and his ability to execute in the red zone. The last time Keenum saw action as a starter was back in December 2023, when he led the Houston Texans in a 36-22 loss to Cleveland. Reflecting on the long gap, he told reporters, "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 resonated with the Bears’ coaching staff, who praised his deep knowledge of the playbook.
"He knows where everyone is supposed to be on every single play and so he is really quick to recognise coverage," head coach Ben Johnson said. "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." The Bears’ offensive surge was not limited to Keenum. Wide receiver Kalif Raymond emerged as a reliable target, hauling in six catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. His big play came in the second half when he sprinted down the sideline for a 41‑yard reception that set up an easy score. The Bears, who sit at 2‑1 after a disappointing 9‑3 loss to Minnesota earlier in the season, showed they can bounce back quickly when they execute their game plan.
Philadelphia, also 2‑1, struggled to find a rhythm. The Eagles turned the ball over three times and failed to record a defensive takeaway for the third straight game—a worrying trend for a team that relies on aggressive playmaking.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 16 of 25 passes for 153 yards but threw an interception that proved costly. Running back Saquon Barkley contributed 82 rushing yards on 15 carries, but the lack of a defensive spark kept the Eagles from mounting a comeback.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni addressed the loss candidly, saying, "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." His accountability highlighted the frustration in Philadelphia’s locker room after a game that began with promise but quickly unraveled. Statistically, the game was a showcase for Keenum’s efficiency. He finished 24/34 for 247 yards and two touchdowns, while D'Andre Swift added a solid ground performance with 20 carries for 84 yards.
On the Eagles’ side, Hurts’ 16/25 passing line was marred by the turnover, and Barkley’s 82 yards on the ground could not compensate for the defensive lapses. One of the most memorable moments came early in the second quarter when Keenum delivered a perfectly timed shovel pass to Luther Burden for an eight‑yard touchdown. The play illustrated Keenum’s quick decision‑making and his ability to read the defense in real time.
Later, after the Bears fell behind 7‑0, Hurts led the Eagles deep into Chicago territory, only to suffer a hard hit from linebacker D'Marco Jackson along the sideline. The impact forced officials to check Hurts for a possible concussion. While he waited for clearance, backup quarterback Andy Dalton was intercepted by rookie defender Dillon Thieneman in the end zone, a turnover that swung momentum firmly in Chicago’s favor.
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." Despite his confidence, the Eagles could not recover, and Hurts’ subsequent quarterback sneak as the first half ended was the only scoring play for Philadelphia before the Bears dominated the final two quarters. Defensively, Chicago’s linebackers made key plays, including TJ Edwards’ interception late in the third quarter that sealed the game. Edwards had previously dropped a potential pick on third down, but his eventual turnover highlighted the Bears’ ability to capitalize on Eagles mistakes.
Chicago amassed 24 first downs and 128 rushing yards, a balanced attack that contrasted with the Eagles’ three turnovers and lack of defensive takeaways. The victory not only gave the Bears a morale boost but also demonstrated the value of experience in the NFL. Keenum’s performance reminded fans and analysts alike that seasoned quarterbacks can still deliver clutch performances, especially when younger starters are sidelined by injury.
As the Bears look ahead, they will aim to build on this momentum and address the inconsistencies that led to their earlier loss against Minnesota. For viewers who missed the live action, the 2026 NFL season continues to be broadcast on Sky Sports, with every playoff game and the upcoming Super Bowl LXI scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027. Fans can also stream games without a contract via the NOW platform, ensuring they never miss another dramatic comeback like Keenum’s.