Case Keenum made a dramatic return to the NFL spotlight on Monday night, delivering a performance that reminded fans why he has been a reliable veteran quarterback for over a decade. After nearly three years without a start, Keenum threw two touchdown passes and even added a rushing score, leading the Chicago Bears to a decisive 27-7 triumph over the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bears were forced to start Keenum when their rookie sensation Caleb Williams suffered a right hamstring injury that kept him out of the game. With the veteran stepping in, Chicago’s offense suddenly clicked.
Keenum completed 24 of 34 attempts for a total of 247 yards, a completion rate of 70.6 percent, and he found his targets with precision throughout the contest. His first touchdown came on a short, well‑timed shovel pass to Luther Burden that traveled eight yards into the end zone. The second came late in the fourth quarter, a one‑yard plunge on a goal‑line carry that marked Keenum’s first rushing touchdown since the 2019 season.
That score capped a 13‑play, eight‑minute drive that ate up the clock and put the game out of reach for the Eagles. Keenum’s resurgence was more than just a statistical footnote. It was his first snap in an NFL game since he started for the Houston Texans in a 36-22 loss to Cleveland in December 2023.
"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 seen him move from starter to backup and back again across multiple teams. Coach Ben Johnson praised Keenum’s football IQ, noting that the quarterback seemed to have an innate sense of where every defender was positioned on each play. "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’ve spent fifteen‑plus years playing this position in this league." The Bears’ supporting cast also contributed significantly. Wide receiver Kalif Raymond emerged as a reliable target, hauling in six receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown. His big play came on a 41‑yard strike in the second half that stretched the field and helped seal the Bears’ lead.
Running back D'Andre Swift added 84 rushing yards on 20 carries, providing a balanced ground attack that kept the Eagles’ defense honest. Philadelphia, entering the game with a 2‑1 record, struggled to find rhythm.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 16 of 25 passes for 153 yards but threw an interception and was forced out of the game after a hard hit from linebacker D’Marco Jackson. The Eagles also turned the ball over three times and failed to record a defensive takeaway for the third straight game, a troubling trend for a team that prides itself on aggressive play. Hurts managed to score a quarterback sneak as the first half expired, but his momentum was halted when he was taken to the sideline for a concussion evaluation. Backup Andy Dalton entered the game, only to be intercepted by rookie defender Dillon Thieneman in the back of the end zone just before halftime.
"I was just waiting for the thumbs up," Hurts later said. "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’ coach, Nick Sirianni, took responsibility for the loss, acknowledging that the team as a whole underperformed.
"We all have to own that loss right there," he said. "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." Defensively, Chicago forced three turnovers and limited the Eagles to just 15 points. Linebacker TJ Edwards recorded a key interception late in the third quarter, while the Bears amassed 24 first downs and 128 rushing yards, showcasing a balanced offensive approach that complemented Keenum’s passing success.
Statistically, the game broke down as follows: - Passing: Case Keenum, 24/34, 247 yards, 2 TDs - Rushing: D'Andre Swift, 20 carries, 84 yards - Receiving: Kalif Raymond, 6 catches, 90 yards, 1 TD - Passing (Eagles): Jalen Hurts, 16/25, 153 yards, 1 INT - Rushing (Eagles): Saquon Barkley, 15 carries, 82 yards - Receiving (Eagles): DeVonta Smith, 6 catches, 65 yards The victory marked the Bears’ second win of the season, improving their record to 2‑1 after a disappointing 9‑3 loss to Minnesota in their previous outing. The win also gave Chicago a psychological boost, proving that even a backup quarterback with a long hiatus can step up when the team needs him most.
Looking ahead, the Bears will aim to build on this momentum, while the Eagles must regroup and address the turnover issues that have plagued them early in the season. For fans of the NFL, Keenum’s performance serves as a reminder that experience and preparation can still shine through, even after years away from the starting role. For those wanting to follow the rest of the 2026 NFL season, Sky Sports will broadcast every game live, including the playoffs and Super Bowl LXI scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027.
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