Case Keenum made a triumphant return to the NFL spotlight, throwing two touchdown passes in his first start in nearly three years as the Chicago Bears dominated the Philadelphia Eagles with a 27-7 victory on Monday night. The veteran quarterback stepped in for the injured Caleb Williams and delivered an efficient performance, completing 24 of 34 attempts for 247 yards. In addition to his aerial success, Keenum broke his own rushing drought by scoring his first ground touchdown since 2019, diving one yard into the end zone with 7:19 left in the fourth quarter to seal a 13‑play, eight‑minute drive that capped the Bears' scoring surge. This appearance marked Keenum's first snap since he started for Houston in a 36-22 loss to Cleveland in December 2023.
"To get a shot again like this? You dream of it," Keenum reflected after the game. "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 in the league. Williams was sidelined with a right hamstring strain, and the Bears relied on Tyson Bagent as a backup after Keenum cleared the NFL's concussion protocol on Sunday. Bears 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." Kalif Raymond emerged as a key target, hauling in six receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown. Chicago, now 2‑1 on the season after a disappointing 9‑3 loss to Minnesota, bounced back with a balanced offensive showing.
Philadelphia, also sitting at 2‑1, struggled with ball security, committing three turnovers and failing to record a defensive 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. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni took responsibility for the loss, 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 TDs; D'Andre Swift added 20 carries for 84 yards on the ground; and Raymond's six catches accounted for 90 yards and a score. For Philadelphia, Hurts finished 16/25, 153 yards with one interception; Barkley posted 82 rushing yards; and DeVonta Smith recorded six receptions for 65 yards. Keenum capped Chicago's opening drive with a clever shovel pass to Luther Burden for an eight‑yard touchdown, and later connected with Raymond on a 41‑yard strike in the second half. After falling behind 7‑0, Hurts drove the Eagles deep into Bears territory in the second quarter but suffered a hard hit from linebacker D'Marco Jackson along the sideline.
Hurts was briefly removed for a concussion evaluation, and backup Andy Dalton was intercepted by rookie Dillon Thieneman in the end‑zone with just over six minutes left in the half. Hurts later explained his frustration, "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 the setback, Hurts managed a quarterback sneak for a touchdown as the first half expired, but Chicago seized control of the final two quarters. Late in the third period, linebacker TJ Edwards stripped Hurts for an interception, although Edwards had previously dropped a potential pick on third down during Philadelphia's opening drive of the second half.
The Bears finished with 24 first downs and 128 rushing yards, showcasing a balanced attack that contrasted with their 28 first‑down, 281‑yard rushing performance in a 24‑15 win at Philadelphia the previous season. The victory highlighted Keenum's veteran poise, the Bears' depth at quarterback, and the team's ability to adapt when their starter is unavailable.
Looking ahead, fans can catch the rest of the 2026 NFL season live on Sky Sports, including every playoff game and Super Bowl LXI scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027. Sky Sports also offers flexible streaming options through NOW, with no contract required, ensuring viewers can follow the action wherever they are.