Case Keenum stepped onto the field for his first NFL start in nearly three years and delivered a performance that helped the Chicago Bears defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 27‑7 on Monday night. The veteran quarterback threw two touchdown passes and even added a rushing score, showing that his experience still translates into production when called upon. When starter Caleb Williams was sidelined with a right hamstring strain, the Bears turned to Keenum, who had not taken a snap as a starter since he led Houston to a 36‑22 loss against Cleveland in December 2023. Keenum answered the opportunity with confidence, completing 24 of 34 attempts for 247 yards.
His precision was evident throughout the game, as he consistently found his targets and displayed an acute awareness of defensive alignments. The most memorable moment came late in the fourth quarter when Keenum scrambled for a one‑yard touchdown run, his first rushing score since 2019, sealing the Bears’ lead with just over seven minutes left. "To get a shot again like this? You dream of it," Keenum said in the post‑game interview.
"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 captured the perseverance that has defined his career, a career that has spanned more than fifteen seasons and includes stints with the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills and Washington Commanders before landing in Chicago.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson praised Keenum’s football IQ, noting that the quarterback seemed to know the playbook inside out. "He knows where everyone is supposed to be on every single play and so he is really quick to recognise coverage," Johnson explained. "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’ offense was further bolstered by wide receiver Kalif Raymond, who hauled in six catches for 90 yards and a touchdown.
Raymond’s big play came on a 41‑yard strike from Keenum in the second half, extending Chicago’s lead and showcasing the chemistry that had been developing throughout the season. The Bears, who sit at 2‑1 after a disappointing 9‑3 loss to Minnesota, displayed a balanced attack, combining a potent aerial game with a solid ground game anchored by D'Andre Swift, who contributed 84 rushing yards on 20 carries.
Philadelphia, also 2‑1, struggled to generate momentum. Quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 16 of 25 passes for 153 yards but threw an interception and was forced to leave the game after a hard hit from linebacker D'Marco Jackson raised concussion concerns. Hurts later expressed frustration about the medical protocol, 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." The Eagles’ offense also featured running back Saquon Barkley, who amassed 82 yards on 15 carries, but the lack of a take‑away on defense—Philadelphia recorded zero takeaways for the third straight game—proved costly.
Defensive lapses allowed the Bears to sustain long drives, culminating in 24 first‑down conversions for Chicago, compared to the Eagles’ fewer opportunities. Key moments defined the flow of the contest.
Early on, Keenum capped the opening drive with a shovel pass to Luther Burden for an eight‑yard touchdown. Later, after the Eagles narrowed the deficit to 7‑0, Hurts orchestrated a deep drive that was halted by a late hit, prompting his removal for concussion evaluation. Backup quarterback Andy Dalton, who entered the game for Hurts, threw an interception to rookie defender Dillon Thieneman in the end zone just before halftime, effectively ending any chance of a comeback before the break. In the second half, the Bears’ defense tightened, with linebacker TJ Edwards stripping the ball and later intercepting Hurts in the third quarter.
Edwards also had a near‑interception on a third‑down play that could have swung momentum back to Philadelphia, but the Bears’ defensive unit held firm. Statistically, Chicago dominated: 28 first downs and 281 total yards, compared with Philadelphia’s 24 first downs and 128 rushing yards. The Bears’ ability to control the clock and sustain drives was evident in a 13‑play, eight‑minute drive that ended with Keenum’s rushing touchdown, effectively draining the clock and limiting the Eagles’ offensive opportunities. The victory not only gave the Bears a morale‑boosting win after a tough loss to the Vikings but also highlighted the value of seasoned veterans like Keenum who can step in and perform at a high level when injuries strike.
It also underscored the importance of depth at the quarterback position, a lesson that resonates across the league as teams navigate the physical demands of a grueling schedule. Looking ahead, the Bears will aim to build on this performance as they continue their pursuit of a playoff berth, while the Eagles must address their turnover issues and defensive take‑away drought if they hope to remain contenders in the tightly contested NFC East.
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