Case Keenum made a triumphant return to the NFL spotlight, delivering two touchdown passes in his first start in nearly three years as the Chicago Bears dominated the Philadelphia Eagles 27-7 on Monday night. Keenum, stepping in for the injured Caleb Williams, completed 24 of 34 attempts for 247 yards, showcasing poise and accuracy that belied his long absence from a starting role.
His performance was capped by a short-yardage rush for his first rushing touchdown since 2019, a one‑yard plunge that came with 7:19 left in the fourth quarter, sealing a 13‑play, eight‑minute drive that put the game out of reach. The last time Keenum saw action as a starter was back in December 2023, when he led Houston in a 36-22 loss to Cleveland. Reflecting on the rare 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 the resilience that has defined his 15‑plus‑year career.
Williams was sidelined with a right hamstring strain, and rookie Tyson Bagent served as the backup after clearing the league’s concussion protocol on Sunday. Bears head coach Ben Johnson praised Keenum’s veteran instincts, 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." The Bears’ offense was further bolstered by wide receiver Kalif Raymond, who hauled in six catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. Chicago, now 2‑1 on the season after rebounding from a disappointing 9‑3 loss to Minnesota, displayed a balanced attack that kept the Eagles off‑balance. Philadelphia, also 2‑1, struggled with ball security, committing three turnovers and failing to force a takeaway for the third straight game. 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 coach Nick Sirianni took responsibility, stating, "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 touchdowns.
D'Andre Swift added 20 carries for 84 rushing yards, and Raymond’s 90‑yard, one‑touchdown performance was a highlight for Chicago’s receiving corps. On the other side, Hurts’ 16/25, 153 yards, one interception, Barkley’s 82 yards on the ground, and DeVonta Smith’s six receptions for 65 yards summed up the Eagles’ effort.
Keenum’s first drive culminated in 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, extending the lead. The Eagles attempted a comeback, with Hurts engineering a drive that took them deep into Bears territory in the second quarter, only to suffer a hard hit from linebacker D'Marco Jackson along the sideline. Hurts was briefly examined for a possible concussion and, after a brief delay, was cleared to return.
However, backup quarterback Andy Dalton threw an interception to rookie Dillon Thieneman in the back of the end zone just before halftime, thwarting any momentum shift. Hurts later explained the confusion, 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 managed a quarterback sneak touchdown as the first half expired, but Chicago’s defense tightened in the second half.
Linebacker TJ Edwards intercepted Hurts late in the third quarter, while earlier Edwards had dropped a potential pick on a third‑down play at the start of the second half. The Bears amassed 24 first downs and 128 rushing yards, a stark contrast to the Eagles’ struggles. Looking ahead, the Bears aim to build on this performance, hoping Keenum’s veteran leadership can guide them through the remainder of the season. For fans, the 2026 NFL season continues to deliver drama and excitement, with live coverage available on Sky Sports, including every playoff game and the Super Bowl LXI scheduled for February 14, 2027.
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